Natalie Coulter: 'Children have become a resource and a source of profit'

From Lisbon, Portugal, the newspaper Público presents a critical perspective on the evolving nature of childhood in the digital age, as articulated by Natalie Coulter, an Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies from York University, Canada. The article, framed within Público's commitment to democratic and civic life, highlights Coulter's assertion that childhood is no longer solely a realm of exploration but has become a 'resource and a source of profit.'

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As crianças tornaram-se um recurso e uma fonte de lucro

Coulter's analysis, as detailed in the article, points to the pervasive influence of technology. Children are not just users of platforms promising entertainment and learning; they are also 'valuable resources' whose data is collected and monetized from before birth. This perspective, deeply concerned with media literacy and the ethical implications of digital technologies, resonates with Público's role as a platform for thoughtful public discourse in Portugal.

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A infância deixou de ser apenas um território de descoberta para se tornar também um espaço de extracção de valor.

The framing suggests a growing unease, shared by many in Portugal and Europe, about the unchecked expansion of the digital economy and its impact on the most vulnerable. While international coverage might focus on the technological advancements, Público, through Coulter's insights, emphasizes the human cost – the transformation of childhood itself into a commodity. This is a uniquely relevant concern for a society that values its youth and is increasingly grappling with the societal implications of a data-driven world, urging readers to consider the profound changes affecting the youngest generation.

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Entre plataformas que prometem entretenimento e aprendizagem e ecossistemas tecnológicos que recolhem e monetizam dados desde antes do nascimento, as crianças são utilizadoras, mas também um recurso valioso