Siri, Alexa, Google Home could hinder children’s social and cognitive development: Study

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Voice assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home could hinder children’s social and cognitive development, according to a new study.

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While these devices are marketed as “companions to help children improve their reading skills,” they can “impede social development” and “hinder learning opportunities” in children, researchers in the study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, said.

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Among the concerns raised in the study is that the lack of “conventional human–human interactions” when children communicate with these devices could affect their social etiquette skills and ability to pick up non-verbal communication cues.

There’s no expectation to be polite, using terms such as “please” or “thank you,” the study said

“There is no need to consider the tone of voice and whether the command being issued may be interpreted as rude or obnoxious.”

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However, the researchers do acknowledge that Amazon has added the “Magic Word” function on its Alexa device that allows its devices to awknowledge polite mannerisms, responding with phrases like, “Thanks for asking so nicely.”

In response to the study, an Amazon spokesperson told the New York Post that, “Alexa is designed to provide accurate and helpful information,” adding that, “Many of our customers have told us that Amazon Kids on Alexa, Echo Dot Kids and Kids Skills are helping their children, including those with autism and ADHD.”

The study was also concerned about “inappropriate responses,” citing a BBC story as an example.

In the BBC story, Alexa had “challenged” a 10-year-old girl to rub a coin against the prongs of a half-inserted electrical plug.

The girl didn’t follow the device’s instruction, her mother told the BBC.

In response, Amazon said it fixed the error as soon as it became aware of it.

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