Hi Dr. Robbins, really appreciated your perspective and thoughts here, thanks for sharing! You touch on a concept I've been coming back to for years—as behavioural scientists, we're taught a range of nudges meant to pull people out of their current behaviour into something new—offer healthy, organic options rather than junk food in a cafeteria line, and students are supposed to default into the healthy alternative; create timers and warning banners on social media apps, and usage is supposed to go down.
Controversial w/r/t personal autonomy, nudges have built a following largely because they're fast, cheap and easy, and still manage to preserve basic rights when done effectively. That said, I'm wondering whether education still isn't the most effective approach—if we have the means to share knowledge and keep kids informed, is traditional education still the best way to control social media usage, empower kids, and encourage them to take ownership of their digital lives rather than nudging them without their knowledge/consent? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment! I wonder if it can’t be both? I believe that education is the foundation. We aren’t going to be able to nudge our way out of every challenge (largely because we can’t even foresee what the challenges are going to be), so our kids need to be able to think critically about technology. That ability develops through education and practice. However, I also think that if app developers can “nudge” in ways that make apps more developmentally appropriate for their young users, that’s a good thing. It’s a complex question and I don’t think there’s necessarily a right answer. I just hope that through a combination of the two (education and nudges), we can create an online environment that’s more developmentally appropriate for the kids and teens occupying it.
Thanks for the reply. Generally agree - complimentary approach, with more intention/ethical thought on how/where nudges are being used. Nudges in moderation with education/knowledge as the foundation.
Curious if you've come across specific design nudges/education courses? Warnings, notifications, etc.? Digital ed. courses/modules? Thanks 👌
Hi Dr. Robbins, really appreciated your perspective and thoughts here, thanks for sharing! You touch on a concept I've been coming back to for years—as behavioural scientists, we're taught a range of nudges meant to pull people out of their current behaviour into something new—offer healthy, organic options rather than junk food in a cafeteria line, and students are supposed to default into the healthy alternative; create timers and warning banners on social media apps, and usage is supposed to go down.
Controversial w/r/t personal autonomy, nudges have built a following largely because they're fast, cheap and easy, and still manage to preserve basic rights when done effectively. That said, I'm wondering whether education still isn't the most effective approach—if we have the means to share knowledge and keep kids informed, is traditional education still the best way to control social media usage, empower kids, and encourage them to take ownership of their digital lives rather than nudging them without their knowledge/consent? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment! I wonder if it can’t be both? I believe that education is the foundation. We aren’t going to be able to nudge our way out of every challenge (largely because we can’t even foresee what the challenges are going to be), so our kids need to be able to think critically about technology. That ability develops through education and practice. However, I also think that if app developers can “nudge” in ways that make apps more developmentally appropriate for their young users, that’s a good thing. It’s a complex question and I don’t think there’s necessarily a right answer. I just hope that through a combination of the two (education and nudges), we can create an online environment that’s more developmentally appropriate for the kids and teens occupying it.
Thanks for the reply. Generally agree - complimentary approach, with more intention/ethical thought on how/where nudges are being used. Nudges in moderation with education/knowledge as the foundation.
Curious if you've come across specific design nudges/education courses? Warnings, notifications, etc.? Digital ed. courses/modules? Thanks 👌