Children are being bombarded with advertisements for weight loss products online, while a new study warns of the dangers of relying on AI chatbots for medical advice, according to recent reports. Simultaneously, tech giants Apple and Google have agreed to changes in their app stores following regulatory intervention, and social media companies face accusations of creating "addiction machines" in a landmark trial. Experts also warn that the timing of afternoon snacks could impact brain health.
A report by the children's commissioner for England found that young people were "bombarded" with ads for weight loss injections and pills online, despite advertising bans. Dame Rachel de Souza, the commissioner, said the posts were "immensely damaging" to young people's self-esteem and called for a ban on social media advertising to children. A spokesperson for the media regulator Ofcom stated it did not tolerate "tech firms prioritising engagement over children's online safety."
In the UK, Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores following intervention from the UK markets regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The tech giants committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale, among other agreements. The CMA's head Sarah Cardell said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy."
Meanwhile, a landmark trial began in California, where the world's largest social media companies are accused of creating "addiction machines." Mark Lanier, representing the plaintiff "K.G.M.," argued that his client suffered from mental health issues as a result of social media addiction. Lanier stated, "These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose."
A study from the University of Oxford found that AI chatbots give inaccurate and inconsistent medical advice, potentially posing risks to users. Researchers gave 1,300 people a scenario, such as having symptoms, and found a mix of good and bad responses. Dr. Rebecca Payne, lead medical practitioner on the study, said it could be "dangerous" for people to ask chatbots about their symptoms.
Adding to health concerns, experts warn that the timing of afternoon snacks could impact brain health. According to Fox News, experts say the timing and type of snack matter more than most people think.
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