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儿童手表“社交化”擦边商业伦理
Bei Jing Shang Bao·2025-11-13 15:45

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of social features in children's smartwatches has sparked widespread controversy, raising questions about the appropriateness of such innovations in products aimed at minors [1][2]. Group 1: Market Overview - The children's smartwatch market has seen significant growth, with annual sales exceeding 10 million units and a market value in the hundreds of billions of yuan [1]. - These devices primarily focus on safety, real-time communication, and precise location tracking, alleviating parental concerns about children's exposure to heavy internet environments [1]. Group 2: Ethical Considerations - The push towards social features in children's products may lead to the emergence of gray market activities, such as account trading and artificial engagement, which could exploit children's natural tendencies for comparison and performance [2]. - The integration of social functionalities in products designed for minors raises ethical concerns, as it may divert from the original intent of technology serving the greater good [1][2]. Group 3: Risks and Challenges - Social features amplify safety risks, as they rely on user interaction effects, which can lead to inappropriate scenarios even for adult users [1]. - The potential for AI-related issues, such as providing nonsensical answers, highlights the dangers of exposing minors to untested technologies, emphasizing that children should not be the target users for experimental products [2]. Group 4: Recommendations for Companies - Companies should prioritize safety and precision in children's products, avoiding the transformation of simple tools into complex social platforms [2]. - There is a need for a balanced approach that considers both ethical responsibilities and market opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly [2].