In the highly competitive world of Chinese kids' social media, a particular smartwatch brand has taken center stage. Little Genius watches have become a status symbol among young users, who eagerly collect likes and badges to rise through the ranks. The digital platform blurs the line between socializing and fierce competition, with kids competing for friendships and prestige.
Parents in China are buying these smartwatches for their children as young as five, often driven by the desire to be able to call them and track their location down to a specific floor in their building. However, it is the watch's built-in game-like features that have sparked controversy, with some kids using bots to artificially inflate their like counts or engage in online mischief.
The competitive nature of the platform has spawned various strategies, such as videos showing how to circumvent daily like limits and businesses offering services to help kids boost their metrics. Some high-ranking users even sell their old accounts for a profit, while others offer paid services to keep their accounts active.
Experts warn that this kind of behavior can lead to negative consequences, including cyberbullying and the commodification of friendship. Ivy Yang, founder of New York-based consultancy Wavelet Strategy, notes that the platform "feels like a whole world" to kids but also raises concerns about transactional relationships.
As one mother discovered when she bought a Little Genius watch for her nearsighted daughter, the device can quickly become an obsession. The daughter spent hours customizing her avatar and sending likes to friends, and would even argue with her mother if called too many times while playing.
The Chinese government has begun drafting national safety standards for children's watches in response to growing concerns over internet addiction, content unfit for children, and overspending via the watch payment function. However, the Little Genius company has yet to respond to requests for comment on these issues.
Parents in China are buying these smartwatches for their children as young as five, often driven by the desire to be able to call them and track their location down to a specific floor in their building. However, it is the watch's built-in game-like features that have sparked controversy, with some kids using bots to artificially inflate their like counts or engage in online mischief.
The competitive nature of the platform has spawned various strategies, such as videos showing how to circumvent daily like limits and businesses offering services to help kids boost their metrics. Some high-ranking users even sell their old accounts for a profit, while others offer paid services to keep their accounts active.
Experts warn that this kind of behavior can lead to negative consequences, including cyberbullying and the commodification of friendship. Ivy Yang, founder of New York-based consultancy Wavelet Strategy, notes that the platform "feels like a whole world" to kids but also raises concerns about transactional relationships.
As one mother discovered when she bought a Little Genius watch for her nearsighted daughter, the device can quickly become an obsession. The daughter spent hours customizing her avatar and sending likes to friends, and would even argue with her mother if called too many times while playing.
The Chinese government has begun drafting national safety standards for children's watches in response to growing concerns over internet addiction, content unfit for children, and overspending via the watch payment function. However, the Little Genius company has yet to respond to requests for comment on these issues.
It's like they're more concerned with likes and badges than actual friendships. And don't even get me started on the bots and cheating - it's like we're creating a generation of entitled kids who think everything can be bought or won! 
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. The government needs to step up and regulate this stuff ASAP before our kids become addicted to this toxic online culture.
My little cousin has one and it's literally taking over her life! She spends hours playing games and sending likes to her friends... I've had to hide my own Little Genius watch from my sister 'cause she keeps trying to borrow it 
. And the thing about kids using bots to get more likes? UGH! That's just soooo mean 
. I'm all for them having fun online, but can't they just chill and enjoy each other's company without all that drama?! 
. We need to have more conversations about this stuff as parents, you know? How do we even start to navigate these new norms and boundaries for our kids? 
Parents are dropping dough (literally) to get their kiddos one of these fancy watches just so they can keep an eye on them 24/7 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want a watch that can track their location down to the floor? 
It's like they're playing some kind of online game where the prize is being popular! 
I mean, I get it, social media can be a wild ride, especially for kids... but this is just crazy town. Who needs friends when you can just buy them online? 
Kids are already glued to their screens, now they're getting little devices too... what's next? 
And it makes sense that some kids would try to game the system with bots or sell their accounts... I mean, who wouldn't want more likes and friends?! 
And what's up with all these strategies to boost metrics? It feels like we're creating a world where friendship is just a number, you know? 
. Companies are always trying to make money, and if that means exploiting kids for data or whatever, they're gonna do it regardless of what anyone says 
. It's crazy how fast this stuff can become an obsession 
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how some kids are even selling their old accounts for a profit 
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I mean, what's next? 
And what's with all these paid services to help them boost their metrics? It's like they're buying friends or something... 
. That's just creepy. I'm all for entrepreneurship, but this is a little too shady for my taste. What's next? Selling our kid's online friendships for a profit? 
my friend's daughter bought one & literally spent all day playing games & sending likes... it got so intense that she was arguing w/ her mum when she got too many calls while gaming 
what's next? will they be trading in their childhood 4 a bunch of badges & likes? 
, but Little Genius just won't say anything about it 
here are some diagrams illustrating the potential risks: 
. I mean, what's next? Kids buying and selling their own self-worth online?