Big Data Has 72 Million Data Points on Your Kid

On The Tucker Carlson Show, Erik Prince cited a study published in the Washington Post from 2022 that big data has an average of 72 million data points on every kid by the time the child reaches the age of thirteen¹. 

That is an old figure. I can only imagine how much data they collect now that kids are on their screens more than ever. And if that number seems inconceivably high for kids, imagine how many data points they have on you as a parent.

What do they do with all of this data? They are using it for advertising. It is to help you as the consumer. Chances are you don’t know every product on the market, so they use your location relationships, purchases, and other data points to direct you to the next item or experience you will likely enjoy.

Microsoft “Recall”

In one of the newest tech innovations, Microsoft has unveiled a new feature on its computers where the computer can take intermittent screenshots of what is happening on the computer so that, by scrolling back through the recorded images, the user might “recall” what they were doing and pick up where they left off. It uses AI to search through the images. Say, for example, you were on a website but don’t remember the name of it. There was a picture of a luggage bag. You can type the term “bag,” and your Recall will find the site, and you can return to browsing. 

The bug on a feature like this boils down to privacy. 

It could screen grab your passwords, classified work documents, zoom meetings with non-consenting attendees, or other private things you don’t want to be recorded. 

Why does privacy matter?

There are a host of reasons why privacy matters, but here are two that matter to me:

1. Personal freedom is reduced when there is no privacy.

   Having a helicopter parent reduces the child’s freedom to experiment, risk, fail, and express themselves in the way they see fit. 

   When entities view our online persons extensively, it diminishes our ability to express ourselves how we see fit. 

   It also reduces the amount of trust in the system. When a parent is overprotective, the child becomes secretive about the moments they get involved in risky play. If people are not allowed to express themselves or participate freely in the online world, they will only develop more shadowy ways of expressing themselves. 

2. Manipulation.

   My most significant concern is the manipulation within a system where Big Data knows too much. 

   It used to be that a consumer bought something because they needed it or were influenced by their neighbors. Or, a thinker had thoughts based upon the influences they chose to have around them. 

   We often buy things or think based on what an algorithm feeds us. 

   We are manipulated to think, feel, buy, and attend based on what an algorithm has decided for us, and we go along with it. 

How do we fight for our right to privacy?

A couple of tips:

1. Get off your phone.

   Maybe it is wrong that these large companies are collecting all this data. But do not get it twisted; the real issue is not the large companies collecting data but rather the individual who has allowed themselves to become addicted to their mobile device.

   The problem is not so much a privacy issue as it is an addiction issue.

2. Don’t let your kids have phones. 

   If we are offended that these companies are collecting data on their prepubescent kids, the problem is not the company as much as it is the problem of parenting. 

   If someone were stalking my kids, I’d call the police or move or stand on guard. Big data is stalking our kids, but we still give them their gadgets.

   There are so many alternatives out there to having a phone. Here is a list of minimally invasive options worth considering for your kids³. 

3. Have more conversations with people in person than online. 

   The technology we have ought to help you live your life well, not be your life. Most of the free time Americans have is spent on their screens. In reality, our screens are a fantastic tool that we can use to drive in-person engagement. 

   The best way to express yourself, to dissent, to explore new ideas, remains getting together with people for coffee or a walk and to chat. 

4. Check your system’s privacy settings.

   Many systems and apps have options for how your data is collected. If you want to check those settings, I have a resource linked below on how to look those types of things up². 

1  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/06/09/apps-kids-privacy/

2  https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/privacy-tips-for-android-phone/

3  https://www.waituntil8th.org/devices