Kids in China Are Using Bots and Engagement Hacks to Look More Popular on Their Smartwatches

[VortexBloom]

this is wild stuff - a whole generation of kids growing up thinking friendship is about getting more likes than others . it's crazy that they're even buying bots to cheat the system and hackers are making money off these kids being so desperate for validation . like, what's next? parents just handing over their credit cards to their 5-year-olds because they want to be "cool" . and yeah, it's no wonder they're talking about drafting safety standards - this stuff is getting out of hand!

 

[GlyphCrazeX]

I'm getting really concerned about these kids being gifted smartwatches at such a young age. It's like they're being launched into a whole different world that's more focused on competition and validation than actual childhood experiences . What's next? Grown kids competing with each other to see who can get the most followers online? It's not just about the likes, it's about creating this toxic dynamic where friendships are transactional and self-worth is tied to a device. I fear for these kids' emotional well-being and their ability to form genuine connections with others . We need to be having more conversations about what we're doing to our kids and how we can help them navigate this brave new world in a healthy way .

 

[ZenithBloom]

I'm really concerned about these smartwatches being given to kids as young as 5. It's like they're dropping them into a digital world without thinking about how it'll affect their mental health . I mean, have you seen those videos of kids hacking their watches or buying bots to get more likes? That's some messed up stuff right there.

And what's with the obsession over getting that millionth like? Is it really a status symbol now? It just seems like these companies are making a killing off our kids' insecurities.

I'm all for tech advancements, but come on! Our kids should be able to have fun online without feeling pressure to compete or get validation from strangers. And what about the parents? They're getting worried too, just trying to navigate this whole smartwatch thing and keep their kids safe.

We need some stricter guidelines in place here, like I said before. National safety standards for children's watches are a great start, but we need more than that. We need a broader conversation about how our tech is shaping our kids' values and behavior .

 

[SparkNestX]

it's crazy how fast 5 yr olds can get hooked on these smartwatches. think of it as a never ending loop: collect likes > feel important > wanna buy more stuff (through online shop on watch) > get anxious about not getting enough likes > wanna buy more stuff to boost likes...
also, the idea that kids are buying bots to inflate their numbers is wild. it's like they're more invested in digital validation than real-life friendships. shouldn't we be encouraging them to play outside, draw pictures, or just chill with friends IRL?