Unlocking Freedom: How Large AI Models Can Help Kids Break Free from Smartphone Addiction!

In a recent conference hosted by the Future Network in Beijing tagged the "Youth Mobile Phone Addiction Prevention Forum," experts spoke about effective ways to reduce smartphone addiction and dependence among teenagers. The conference focused on the theme "Joining Hands to Weave a Protective Net and Build a New Digital Childhood Ecosystem," bringing together experts and scholars from various sectors to discuss issues related to minors' smartphone usage and strategies for addressing them.

Taking Action 

According to the "5th National Survey Report on Internet Usage Among Minors" released in December 2023, smartphones have become the primary device for 91.3% of minors accessing the internet, and 60% of these minors own personal smartphones. It's no wonder that this data has raised widespread concern among the attending experts. 

Li Guoqiang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China National Committee for the Care of the Next Generation and one of the experts present pointed out that excessive smartphone use poses three major risks to the physical and mental health of teenagers: first, it affects the physical health, prolonged screen time can lead to vision impairment, poor sleep quality, and cervical spine issues; second, regarding mental health, smartphone addiction may trigger internet addiction and social anxiety; finally, in terms of cognitive development, the information bubble created by algorithmic recommendations may hinder the cultivation of critical thinking skills in teenagers.

Another expert, Professor Bu Wei from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, mentioned that the digital environment has changed the family, education, and social patterns of teenagers, indicating the urgent need for digital literacy education to help minors enhance their understanding and usage skills of digital media. Professor Bu further emphasized that cultivating critical thinking and scientific reasoning is a significant way to improve the digital rights of minors.

Ushering in Solutions

All hope is not lost. In the context of rapid advancements in AI technology, experts at the conference suggest that large AI models can be fully utilized to provide new ideas for preventing smartphone addiction among minors. Sun Hongyan from the China Youth Research Center suggested that parents have a significant role to play and should guide their children in exploring new technologies and developing personalized AI solutions, such as usage management measures tailored to each child. 

Additionally, companies should lean towards adopting child-friendly principles in product design, launching AI models suitable for minors, and providing timely feedback to parents and teachers about children's usage behaviors. Moreover, researcher Chu Zhaohui pointed out that preventing smartphone addiction among minors requires joint efforts. Families, schools, and society have different and collective roles to play. 

Helping Kids Make Good Choices 

Empowering children to take control of their smartphone usage will lead to reduced risk of addiction and to achieve this goal, all parties should create conditions that provide children with enough time and space to make their own choices. This will also help them develop their self-management skills.

In November 2024, the Central Cyberspace Administration released the "Guidelines for the Construction of Mobile Internet Models for Minors," encouraging all parties to participate in the construction of models for minors. The primary goal was to enhance the safety and controllability of smartphone usage. However, experts also noted that current addiction prevention tools have not yet achieved an ideal practical standard, leaving parents and schools facing the challenge of "difficulties in managing smartphones."

Whether AI models are the solution to smartphone addiction remains to be seen. However, these actions are notable and may hold solutions for the future.