I was just in our nation’s capital meeting with Congressional legislative staff and attending presentations about XR. One particular meeting was an update on the youth regulations on the use of gaming and related software.
I have written extensively in other posts about the potential damage the internet has been creating in our youth community. It provides access to many on-line behaviors that are unhealthy and allows bullying and other relational damage through how these programs have been utilized. We know that our teenagers have great skill in accessing so much on the internet and that they have become ingenious in navigating around some of the rules that are presumed to limit their access to certain apps. Therefore, the internet can be a place of little safety for our youth.
In the presentation I listened to there was a great deal of frustration about the double-binds that were currently occurring in our legislative arguments. On the one hand, the corporate world insists on their rights to publish games and information that is unrestricted. Those who insist on stronger regulations to prohibit youth use wanted to legislate those rules. Parents were also involved in that they wanted to bring controls to what their kids have access to. Then there is the research part that is ongoing without conclusions. The net result is that the entire process is stymied and has been for some time.
What we know from dealing with so many teenagers is that they resist any limitations on their internet and gaming use. What we know of most app developers is that they are insisting on their rights to develop any app that can be sold and that they have invested millions of dollars to create that enterprise.
As I spoke with individuals who may have some influence in this battle, I attempted to communicate that this was most probably an unending and difficult discussion that would continue to find no resolve anytime soon. Thus, little or no progress will be made to provide any restrictions to how these apps and technology will be used.
For lack of better alternatives, I believe that a better approach is to educate companies, users and parents about the impact of this technology. I believe that we will have a much better set of outcomes if parents are educated about the apps available to their kids. I also think that we should not minimize the power of our youth community if they also could become advocates for more informed use of the technology. Educational and training programs should be a part of any legislation and we should be striving to help users and developers to be more responsible based on values that are emotionally and relationally healthy. This is where all the discussions should begin, and hopefully this will evolve into more productive legislation.
I do not think there are any conclusive answers. Since Lakeside is as an education and training company for thousands of youth and professionals I believe there is a better chance of moving the needle of mutual understanding and some sense of common concerns that may have a unifying capacity with the right kind of powerful training and support. At least it will begin the process with some positive momentum. That is far better than the current state of affairs.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
