Opportunities and challenges for children and young people: The growing influence of AI, metaverse and digital twins in media use

📊 The advance of artificial intelligence (AI), the metaverse and digital twins is revolutionizing media use and offering new opportunities and challenges for children and young people. First of all, these developments represent fundamental changes that are upending previous opinions about the consumption habits and behavior of young people.

🔍 Research and interim analyses

As part of an extensive research project, we used targeted questions and interim analyzes to identify several critical points that are of considerable importance for future strategy development. These points include not only media use and its changes, but also potential impacts on urban planning and the physiological health of the young generation.

Part of the data collection for the research project:

• Eye optics and hearing aid acoustics in Germany
• Media use by children
• Children in Germany
• Child and Youth Services

🏙️ Urbanization and urban development

A key aspect is the question of the extent to which the knowledge gained will impact urbanization and urban development. Particularly relevant in this context is the concept of the 15-minute city in the context of the Metaverse. The aim of the 15-minute city concept is to make all the essential points of daily life reachable within a 15-minute walk or cycle path. The integration of the Metaverse opens up the possibility of linking virtual and physical spaces more closely. For example, educational and leisure activities could take place in virtual environments that relieve urban space and enable new forms of social interaction and shared use.

Suitable for:

• Urbanization & Future: The 15-minute city concept with the Metaverse

🖥️ Media usage and XR technologies

In addition, the question arises as to how media use in school and private areas will change and mix as a result of XR technologies (Extended Reality/Metaverse). XR technologies include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), providing immersive experiences that can enrich both learning and leisure. Schools could offer virtual excursions to historical sites or scientific phenomena, which could promote children's and young people's learning behavior, perception and interest in school content. In the private sector, social interactions, games and creative pursuits could be relocated to the virtual world, which could lead to more intensive and often more creative use of media.

Suitable for:

• XR technology: Is the hype about the Metaverse over?

🩺 Health effects

A central point of the discussion is the health impact of the increasing use of digital media. The growing and changing media world could lead to increased strain on vision and hearing. Long screen times and intensive use of VR glasses could put a lot of strain on the eyes and impair vision. Likewise, increasing noise levels caused by the use of headphones and other audio devices could cause long-term damage to hearing ability. The challenge here is how these risks can be minimized through preventative measures and educational programs. Measures could include, for example, regular breaks during screen work, ergonomically designed workplaces and the conscious use of technologies to reduce blue light.

🧠 Mental health and social development

In addition to the physical impacts, there are also concerns about the mental health and social development of children and young people. The intensive use of digital media and virtual worlds could lead to social isolation and impair interpersonal communication skills. On the other hand, these technologies also offer new forms of social interaction in which geographical barriers no longer play a role. Children and young people could build friendships and networks that go beyond physical proximity and promote cultural understanding.

📚 Learning and perception skills

Furthermore, the potential effects on the learning and cognitive abilities of children and young people must be taken into account. XR technologies can make learning more interactive and engaging by making abstract concepts tangible. A virtual representation of the solar system that children can walk through and see the planets up close could inspire a deeper understanding and more sustained interest in astronomy. However, there is also the risk that information overload in virtual environments will shorten attention spans and impair critical thinking skills. Here it would be important to develop didactic concepts that use the advantages of technology without overloading cognitive abilities.

Suitable for:

• Virtual Reality: VR glasses in the classroom – North Rhine-Westphalia is showing the way

🛠️ Career and professional prospects

In addition to the direct influences on learning behavior and perception, it should be borne in mind that dealing with these new technologies will also shape the career paths and professional prospects of the future generation. Knowledge of handling and programming XR technologies and other digital tools is increasingly becoming a key skill in many professional fields. School education must therefore aim to promote these skills at an early stage and prepare students for a technology-centered world of work.

⚖️ Ethical and social issues

Ultimately, AI, metaverses and digital twins pose not only technical challenges, but also ethical and social questions. The use of AI for data analysis and decision-making raises questions about data protection and privacy, especially with regard to the sensitive data of children and young people. The design and control of virtual environments in the Metaverse also requires careful regulation to prevent misuse and manipulation. Educational initiatives should therefore also include ethical aspects and the critical examination of new technologies.

🌐 Opportunities and challenges

Developments in the areas of AI, metaverse and digital twins are causing a profound transformation in media use and the everyday lives of children and young people. These technologies offer enormous opportunities to improve learning, promote creativity and create new social interactions. At the same time, they require careful consideration and measures to minimize health and psychological risks and maintain ethical standards. Through an integrative and forward-looking approach, the potential of these technologies can be optimally used and at the same time the challenges can be overcome.

📣 Similar topics

• 🔍 Research and interim analyzes on media use by children and young people
• 🏙️ Impact on urbanization and urban development in the context of the Metaverse
• 🖥️ Changing media use through XR technologies in school and private life
• 🩺 Health effects of increasing digital media use
• 🧠 Mental health and social development of children and adolescents
• 📚 Potential impact on learning and cognitive abilities
• 🛠️ Influence on career paths and professional prospects of the future generation
• ⚖️ Ethical and social issues in the context of AI, metaverse and digital twins
• 🌐 Opportunities and challenges of digital transformation for children and young people
• 💡 Integrative and forward-looking approach to exploiting the potential of new technologies

#️⃣ Hashtags: #media use #digitalization #children #young people #future

Potential financial savings through selected AI applications in the European healthcare system in billions of euros – Image: Xpert.Digital

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to fundamentally and sustainably change healthcare in Europe. The implementation of AI technologies in various areas of healthcare can not only improve the efficiency and accuracy of medical care, but also provide significant financial savings. According to a study by MedTech Europe and Deloitte, the potential financial savings from selected AI applications in the European healthcare system amount to over 1 trillion euros.

More about it here:

• Potential €1.1 trillion savings from AI applications in Europe

🎮👧👦🕶️ The effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on school development and everyday life are already noticeable and will be even more profound in the future. AI is revolutionizing both areas in many ways and offers numerous opportunities and challenges.

📚 New learning methods through artificial intelligence

First of all, AI is changing the way students learn and teachers teach. By using intelligent learning platforms, students can have personalized learning experiences. These platforms analyze the learning behavior of students and adapt the content accordingly in order to individually optimize the learning pace and methods. For example, students with learning difficulties can receive targeted support, while advanced students can be supported with more complex tasks. AI-supported tutoring systems can also be available around the clock, significantly expanding learning opportunities.

Teachers also benefit from integrating AI into the educational process. Administrative tasks that traditionally take a lot of time, such as evaluating tests and creating curricula, can be automated by AI systems. This gives teachers more time to focus on individual attention to their students. Additionally, by analyzing performance data, targeted interventions can be planned and implemented to better realize each student's learning potential.

🤖 AI in everyday life – support and increased efficiency

In addition to formal education, AI also has the potential to play a significant role in everyday life. Intelligent personal assistants, such as voice assistants on smartphones, are already helping us to make our everyday lives more efficient. You can set reminders, provide information, organize appointments and much more. As speech and pattern recognition advances, these assistants will become more powerful and able to take on more complex tasks.

Another area in which AI will change our everyday lives is mobility. Autonomous vehicles controlled by AI promise a future in which traffic accidents can be drastically reduced and the efficiency of the transport system can be significantly increased. Transportation systems optimized by AI could improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve air quality in urban areas.

🛍️ Changing shopping through AI

AI is also influencing the way we shop. Advanced algorithms analyze data collected online to create personalized shopping experiences. Online retailers can use this data to make suggestions for products that meet customers' individual preferences and needs. This not only leads to higher customer satisfaction, but also a more efficient purchasing process.

🏥 Healthcare transformation

AI also plays a transformative role in healthcare. Diagnoses can be aided by AI-based systems that identify patterns in medical data that may be missed by human doctors. This leads to faster and more precise diagnoses and can therefore improve the chances of recovery and the quality of patient care.

⚖️ Challenges and ethical questions

However, alongside the many benefits that AI brings, there are also challenges and important ethical questions to consider. Increasing automation through AI could lead to job losses in some areas. It is therefore crucial that education systems and companies develop mechanisms to support the reskilling and upskilling of workers. Developing ethical guidelines for the use of AI is also of great importance to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and for the benefit of society.

Another ethical issue is data security. AI systems are based on collecting and processing large amounts of data. It is essential that the privacy of individuals is maintained and that the data is securely protected from misuse. This requires strict data protection guidelines and continuous monitoring of compliance with these rules.

There is also a risk of becoming dependent on AI systems. If people rely too heavily on AI, important skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills could atrophy. It is therefore important to strike a balance where AI serves as a supporting tool without completely replacing human contribution.

🧠 Lifelong learning with AI

The role of AI in education will continue to gain importance beyond the boundaries of the regular school system. In adult education and lifelong learning, AI can play a key role by providing tailored learning programs adapted to individual professional needs and personal interests. This can be particularly useful in a fast-paced, ever-changing world of work where ongoing training is essential.

Artificial intelligence will profoundly change school development and everyday life. The possibilities that AI offers in the areas of education, mobility, health and everyday life are enormous. However, it is important not to neglect the challenges and ethical concerns involved. Through careful and responsible implementation, AI has the potential to sustainably improve the lives of people worldwide and transform our society in remarkable ways.

📣 Similar topics

• 📚 AI in the education system: From the classroom to the digital learning platform
• 🤖 Intelligent assistants in everyday life: helpers around the clock
• 🚗 Autonomous vehicles: The future of mobility
• 🛒 Personalized shopping experiences thanks to AI
• 🏥 Precise diagnosis through AI in healthcare
• 🔍 Ethical aspects of AI use
• 💼 Retraining and upskilling in the AI ​​era
• 🔒 Data protection and data security in the AI ​​world
• 🌐 AI in adult education: Lifelong learning
• 📈 Optimizing traffic flow through AI

#️⃣ Hashtags: #AI education #digital everyday life #personalization #health technology #lifelong learning

☑️ Industry expert, here with his own Xpert.Digital Industry Hub with over 2,500 specialist articles

Konrad Wolfenstein

I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) .

I'm looking forward to our joint project.

Xpert.Digital is a hub for industry with a focus on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics and photovoltaics.

With our 360° business development solution, we support well-known companies from new business to after sales.

Market intelligence, smarketing, marketing automation, content development, PR, mail campaigns, personalized social media and lead nurturing are part of our digital tools.

You can find out more at: www.xpert.digital - www.xpert.solar - www.xpert.plus