Parents should be doing all they can to keep kids off of predatory, addictive algorithms. And yet, can 100% of the responsibility be put on parents? Or does it also make sense to have laws?
In addition to the parents finding more and creative ways to engage with the children (taking responsibility), the law implementation is surely a priority. The problem also is that many parents are parents by chance, not that they planned, let alone being ready...
Joseph, thank you for naming something that too many parents quietly know but rarely acknowledge: parenting can’t be outsourced to addictive algorithms or predatory digital ecosystems. Kids need protection, guidance, and boundaries—but they also need us. Your episode hits at a deeper truth: parenting isn’t just about keeping children physically safe. It’s about preparing them morally, emotionally, and socially for a world that often pulls them toward the worst versions of themselves.
If we’re serious about raising healthy, resilient adults, then we need to reclaim the responsibilities many of us have let slip. That means modeling and teaching the values that shape character—empathy, respect, integrity, courage, curiosity, and kindness. It means explaining why systemic racism exists and why it’s our responsibility to challenge it. It means helping kids understand that hate crimes corrode America from the inside out, and that treating others as we wish to be treated isn’t just a cliché—it’s a survival principle for a diverse democracy.
Parenting also means giving our kids the tools to recognize dangerous ideologies. They need to understand how grievance-based movements—whether MAGA extremism, Christian nationalism, white nationalism, or the propaganda machines built by people like Charlie Kirk—distort reality and prey on fear. If we don’t teach kids how to recognize those systems of manipulation, the digital world will teach them something much darker.
As you said, laws matter. Regulation matters. Guardrails matter. But no law can replace a parent who shows up, models healthy behavior, talks about hard things, and teaches kids to think critically and act humanely.
You’ve struck a chord: too many parents are on cruise control, absent, or overwhelmed, and the cost of that vacuum is being paid by our children and by the society they will inherit. If we want a future we can be proud of, we must start being the role models our kids desperately need—offline, consistently, and with intention.
Thanks for opening the door to a conversation we’ve needed for a long time.
And those very same algorithms are contributing heavily to parents being on cruise control, absent, and overwhelmed. We're actively being poisoned. But it's not too late to flush out our systems, I hope. <3
The way to nip the counter argument to AI regulation, when it pertains to children online, it’s to place the responsibility back on the tech oligarchy that purposely target children. Fact is that the algorithms employed by the social media giants are addictive by design - very much like casino slot machines. They are also used to spread misinformation, which SHAPE the cognitive perception of children quite persuasively also by design.
This is one of the reasons why Australia banned children under 16 from using social media. In their expert deduction - if social media cannot imbed safeguards into their algorithms that protect children, then they will not be granted access to the Australian market! I find this quite honestly, brilliant!👌🏻💪🏻👏🏼👏👏🏽👏🏿
And they aren’t messing around either.
“The country passed the law, that blocks minors from having social media accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit, last year.
If companies fail to comply with new rules to keep minors off their platforms, they face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million, €30 million).
‘This is indeed a proud day to be Australian,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, as he described the measure as a major step toward improving online safety for young people.”
100%. Too many people don’t understand that a dialectic can exist for most things they are angry about.
Also, for everyone shifting ground towards the notion that parents need to educate their kids on the dangerous things out there on the internet, great! Let’s brainstorm.
Remember Aesop’s fables? Hansel and Gretel? Video games that didn’t prey upon our natural propensity towards dopamine, but actually taught us resilience, problem solving, and instilled a sense of accomplishment in us?
The problem is the fairy tales have changed. Video games have changed. Media has changed. We need creators to create, but until society changes gears to start valuing educating and nurturing healthy children as a whole again, big tech won’t give a shit because it won’t make them any money. Creators who want to create media that is helpful/educational/healthy won’t have a canvas until we shout loud enough at the people who are in the position to give them a chance to do so.
So we need to elevate all voices in this conversation instead of shutting each other down because there “must” be an easy solution to such a recent problem.
I read somewhere that the social media CEOs don't allow their children to use social media. Gee, I wonder why. And you maker a good point about a mix of laws and individual responsibility. My concern is who makes those laws: someone bought and paid for by the AI lobbies?
Could you also explore that schools are giving young kids devices that have unrestricted access to the internet when students are not on the school's server, (i.e at home!). I also have a 10 yr old, a 7 yr old, and a 3 yr old. My 10 and 7 come home everyday with an iPad that has NO parental controls available on it because it belongs to the school. I don't allow my kids to use it at home, but I'm sure that plenty of parents do. Putting unrestricted devices in the hands of anyone under the age of 12 is irresponsible, but schools are doing it every day.
Absolutely this. It really worries me too. Sending young kids home with school devices that have unrestricted internet access while parents can’t add controls because the devices belong to the school feels like such a huge responsibility to place on families.
On top of that, so much learning still happens on devices and WhatsApp, something that started during Covid and never really went away. I’ve even seen classrooms where teachers are on their phones while children are left on devices. Screens can’t replace real presence, supervision, and guidance especially for little ones.
It sometimes feels like convenience has taken over and what’s truly best for the kids isn’t the main focus anymore. ʕ´• ᴥ•̥`ʔ
I agree most definitely with Mr. Gordon-Levitt! I am not a Parent; In case I eventually do become one after being with the potential love of my life, I really want to be proactive in helping kids be the best they can be without the issues of lots of screen time as children and the issues of Predatory Addictive Algorithms.
Very well done. As a parent -- my kids are approaching their 40's (holy shit!) -- who tried to control screen time at a time when computers and video games were just coming into their own -- with no controls or restrictions -- I know and saw, just how addictive it was. We refused to buy a Nintendo for our son, but were helpless when his uncle bought one and gave it to him while both of us were at work. He was suppose to be minding them. At first, we thought, well maybe we over-reacted? But the son soon became addicted. It was insane watch. And then on the computer, with the early chat rooms. Cyber bullying -- things neither of us could understand. Just walk away, we'd say. Don't let it bother you. And then, as things moved forward, our kids grew older and learned to control themselves, (well, it's not like the younger one had issues with it, as she was more into baking and shit like that), but we'd see families in restaurants giving their kids iPads to occupy them so they didn't have to interact with them, or couples at table texting and scrolling instead of conversing. Yeah, there should be rules, and regulations. And don't even get me started on the porn. Jesus, I had to sneak into my brothers' hiding places and steal their PLAYBOY and PENTHOUSE magazines, while all my son had to do was press the mouse to see things he should have never seen when he was 10. Try controlling that shit when there were no parental controls and he had friends sharing stuff with him. And of course, they knew more about computers and scrolling the net than we ever did. It's too late for my generation, and my kids' generation, but maybe your kids might have a chance.
It's super validating to hear another parent say these things we've been thinking. We try our best to keep them off the screen. But the technology is everywhere, and it is so addicting now. There's so many great tools, yes, but mixed in with digital traps that keep eyeballs on them. Also, pretty cool, we have similar aged kids (11,7,4). That to me, reinforces that you know what we are going through. :) I appreciate your voice in this!
As a parent I agree with so much of this. I think it is important though to recognize that government and legislation do play a part. We need online content to be held to a truth-based standard and to criminalize content that instigate violence and harm. Hate speech should be held accountable and content restore of such should not be allowed. The corporations who all use algorithms to specifically target certain demographics like youth or men to purposefully manipulate thoughts around violence toward women for instance is a government issue - parents can’t control those messages. Youth are required to be online for much of their education, heck, my kids’ schools already transitioned to purposefully use AI in assignments. Phones and tablets and sites like YouTube are used by the education system almost daily.
I like how it made me verify my email before commenting haha gave me a little bit of time to reflect on what I was going to comment haha I like that.
We can all agree with this, however, I feel that as adults our social media use is out of control and we need to be able to curve our addictions and habits before we can put the entire onus on the government to intervene and keep these companies from predatorily using algorithms to manipulate and control our data.
I think we need to really look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we need the phone, tablet, tech device more than it needs us.
These devices have become our pacifiers, we ourselves are grown babies, like a fiend looking for a dopamine hit the second life becomes too onerous.
Like Andrew Yang had suggested many moons ago, there should be legislation that allows these companies to roam free however these same billion dollar tech companies should be compelled to pay the cost of being able to sell you…and your children for that matter.
That is all. Thank you, Joe; another excellent video.
The screens are problematic. A screen emits radiation. Radiation limits the ability of our blood to carry oxygen, which causes anxiety, heat disease, and obesity.
The radio towers emit more radiation than a screen.
Children are imitators, they will not use predatory algorithms if we do not use predatory algorithms.
Good post. 16 and under can't get SS in Australia. I prefer that parents control this but maybe getting the government involved is good
In addition to the parents finding more and creative ways to engage with the children (taking responsibility), the law implementation is surely a priority. The problem also is that many parents are parents by chance, not that they planned, let alone being ready...
Joseph, thank you for naming something that too many parents quietly know but rarely acknowledge: parenting can’t be outsourced to addictive algorithms or predatory digital ecosystems. Kids need protection, guidance, and boundaries—but they also need us. Your episode hits at a deeper truth: parenting isn’t just about keeping children physically safe. It’s about preparing them morally, emotionally, and socially for a world that often pulls them toward the worst versions of themselves.
If we’re serious about raising healthy, resilient adults, then we need to reclaim the responsibilities many of us have let slip. That means modeling and teaching the values that shape character—empathy, respect, integrity, courage, curiosity, and kindness. It means explaining why systemic racism exists and why it’s our responsibility to challenge it. It means helping kids understand that hate crimes corrode America from the inside out, and that treating others as we wish to be treated isn’t just a cliché—it’s a survival principle for a diverse democracy.
Parenting also means giving our kids the tools to recognize dangerous ideologies. They need to understand how grievance-based movements—whether MAGA extremism, Christian nationalism, white nationalism, or the propaganda machines built by people like Charlie Kirk—distort reality and prey on fear. If we don’t teach kids how to recognize those systems of manipulation, the digital world will teach them something much darker.
As you said, laws matter. Regulation matters. Guardrails matter. But no law can replace a parent who shows up, models healthy behavior, talks about hard things, and teaches kids to think critically and act humanely.
You’ve struck a chord: too many parents are on cruise control, absent, or overwhelmed, and the cost of that vacuum is being paid by our children and by the society they will inherit. If we want a future we can be proud of, we must start being the role models our kids desperately need—offline, consistently, and with intention.
Thanks for opening the door to a conversation we’ve needed for a long time.
And those very same algorithms are contributing heavily to parents being on cruise control, absent, and overwhelmed. We're actively being poisoned. But it's not too late to flush out our systems, I hope. <3
The way to nip the counter argument to AI regulation, when it pertains to children online, it’s to place the responsibility back on the tech oligarchy that purposely target children. Fact is that the algorithms employed by the social media giants are addictive by design - very much like casino slot machines. They are also used to spread misinformation, which SHAPE the cognitive perception of children quite persuasively also by design.
This is one of the reasons why Australia banned children under 16 from using social media. In their expert deduction - if social media cannot imbed safeguards into their algorithms that protect children, then they will not be granted access to the Australian market! I find this quite honestly, brilliant!👌🏻💪🏻👏🏼👏👏🏽👏🏿
And they aren’t messing around either.
“The country passed the law, that blocks minors from having social media accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit, last year.
If companies fail to comply with new rules to keep minors off their platforms, they face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million, €30 million).
‘This is indeed a proud day to be Australian,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, as he described the measure as a major step toward improving online safety for young people.”
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications/internet/online-safety/social-media-minimum-age?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Parents need to actually be active in this. We need to teach kids about the Internet and how to make good choices.
You know.. Its really weird but I remember you from Third Rock. Most kids would know you from Inception but that was when I first saw your brilliance.
And the meta thing here is, you played a teenager with literally an ancient soul. So you looked like what you appear now but it was tongue in cheek.
And I can mentally compare your tone back then with now and it's like you kinda Benjamin Buttoned. But in a normal distribution curve way….
100%. Too many people don’t understand that a dialectic can exist for most things they are angry about.
Also, for everyone shifting ground towards the notion that parents need to educate their kids on the dangerous things out there on the internet, great! Let’s brainstorm.
Remember Aesop’s fables? Hansel and Gretel? Video games that didn’t prey upon our natural propensity towards dopamine, but actually taught us resilience, problem solving, and instilled a sense of accomplishment in us?
The problem is the fairy tales have changed. Video games have changed. Media has changed. We need creators to create, but until society changes gears to start valuing educating and nurturing healthy children as a whole again, big tech won’t give a shit because it won’t make them any money. Creators who want to create media that is helpful/educational/healthy won’t have a canvas until we shout loud enough at the people who are in the position to give them a chance to do so.
So we need to elevate all voices in this conversation instead of shutting each other down because there “must” be an easy solution to such a recent problem.
They don't let their kids on the devices...which should tell you everything
I read somewhere that the social media CEOs don't allow their children to use social media. Gee, I wonder why. And you maker a good point about a mix of laws and individual responsibility. My concern is who makes those laws: someone bought and paid for by the AI lobbies?
Could you also explore that schools are giving young kids devices that have unrestricted access to the internet when students are not on the school's server, (i.e at home!). I also have a 10 yr old, a 7 yr old, and a 3 yr old. My 10 and 7 come home everyday with an iPad that has NO parental controls available on it because it belongs to the school. I don't allow my kids to use it at home, but I'm sure that plenty of parents do. Putting unrestricted devices in the hands of anyone under the age of 12 is irresponsible, but schools are doing it every day.
Absolutely this. It really worries me too. Sending young kids home with school devices that have unrestricted internet access while parents can’t add controls because the devices belong to the school feels like such a huge responsibility to place on families.
On top of that, so much learning still happens on devices and WhatsApp, something that started during Covid and never really went away. I’ve even seen classrooms where teachers are on their phones while children are left on devices. Screens can’t replace real presence, supervision, and guidance especially for little ones.
It sometimes feels like convenience has taken over and what’s truly best for the kids isn’t the main focus anymore. ʕ´• ᴥ•̥`ʔ
How scary!
I agree most definitely with Mr. Gordon-Levitt! I am not a Parent; In case I eventually do become one after being with the potential love of my life, I really want to be proactive in helping kids be the best they can be without the issues of lots of screen time as children and the issues of Predatory Addictive Algorithms.
Very well done. As a parent -- my kids are approaching their 40's (holy shit!) -- who tried to control screen time at a time when computers and video games were just coming into their own -- with no controls or restrictions -- I know and saw, just how addictive it was. We refused to buy a Nintendo for our son, but were helpless when his uncle bought one and gave it to him while both of us were at work. He was suppose to be minding them. At first, we thought, well maybe we over-reacted? But the son soon became addicted. It was insane watch. And then on the computer, with the early chat rooms. Cyber bullying -- things neither of us could understand. Just walk away, we'd say. Don't let it bother you. And then, as things moved forward, our kids grew older and learned to control themselves, (well, it's not like the younger one had issues with it, as she was more into baking and shit like that), but we'd see families in restaurants giving their kids iPads to occupy them so they didn't have to interact with them, or couples at table texting and scrolling instead of conversing. Yeah, there should be rules, and regulations. And don't even get me started on the porn. Jesus, I had to sneak into my brothers' hiding places and steal their PLAYBOY and PENTHOUSE magazines, while all my son had to do was press the mouse to see things he should have never seen when he was 10. Try controlling that shit when there were no parental controls and he had friends sharing stuff with him. And of course, they knew more about computers and scrolling the net than we ever did. It's too late for my generation, and my kids' generation, but maybe your kids might have a chance.
It's super validating to hear another parent say these things we've been thinking. We try our best to keep them off the screen. But the technology is everywhere, and it is so addicting now. There's so many great tools, yes, but mixed in with digital traps that keep eyeballs on them. Also, pretty cool, we have similar aged kids (11,7,4). That to me, reinforces that you know what we are going through. :) I appreciate your voice in this!
As a parent I agree with so much of this. I think it is important though to recognize that government and legislation do play a part. We need online content to be held to a truth-based standard and to criminalize content that instigate violence and harm. Hate speech should be held accountable and content restore of such should not be allowed. The corporations who all use algorithms to specifically target certain demographics like youth or men to purposefully manipulate thoughts around violence toward women for instance is a government issue - parents can’t control those messages. Youth are required to be online for much of their education, heck, my kids’ schools already transitioned to purposefully use AI in assignments. Phones and tablets and sites like YouTube are used by the education system almost daily.
So true!
Huh?
I like how it made me verify my email before commenting haha gave me a little bit of time to reflect on what I was going to comment haha I like that.
We can all agree with this, however, I feel that as adults our social media use is out of control and we need to be able to curve our addictions and habits before we can put the entire onus on the government to intervene and keep these companies from predatorily using algorithms to manipulate and control our data.
I think we need to really look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we need the phone, tablet, tech device more than it needs us.
These devices have become our pacifiers, we ourselves are grown babies, like a fiend looking for a dopamine hit the second life becomes too onerous.
Like Andrew Yang had suggested many moons ago, there should be legislation that allows these companies to roam free however these same billion dollar tech companies should be compelled to pay the cost of being able to sell you…and your children for that matter.
That is all. Thank you, Joe; another excellent video.
The screens are problematic. A screen emits radiation. Radiation limits the ability of our blood to carry oxygen, which causes anxiety, heat disease, and obesity.
The radio towers emit more radiation than a screen.
Children are imitators, they will not use predatory algorithms if we do not use predatory algorithms.