NationStates Jolt Archive

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/1/23/itfeature/16562028&sec=itfeature

To anyone whose going to make some comment about it becoming pedophiliac and/or taking over the internet, it's been done.

In.Tech finds out how a technology startup's instant messaging software can help create a safer environment for kids on the Internet and keep paedophiles as well as other criminals at bay. Like many of her classmates, 11-year-old Sarah spends much of her after-school hours online.

She often communicates with her friends using chat programs, participates in social networking sites and uses information from the Web to do her homework.

While Sarah's parents have a say over who she meets outside their house, they have little control over who she interacts with using the PC at home.

They figure that child-safety software would help filter out nasty websites and pornographic content but what will protect Sarah from paedophiles and sexual predators lurking in chatrooms?

Thankfully companies like Mor(f) Dynamics Pty Ltd are coming up with solutions that will keep children like Sarah safe from dangerous characters prowling the Net.

Founded by Malaysians Robert Fong and Billy Chong in Sydney, Australia, the company is currently developing an instant messenger software that incorporates an artificial intelligence (AI) engine.

Dubbed the Moji Intelligent Messenger (IM), the program features 3D virtual pets that have the ability to understand the context of speech and hold conversations on its own.

These pets are essentially chatterbots or chat bots (similar to A.L.I.C.E, Ella, Eliza and Jabberwacky), which are programs designed to simulate human-like conversations.

Understanding intent

While certain child-safety programs can tell when someone is being outright obscene in chatrooms, most sexual predators are cunning enough to disguise their advances so as not to raise alarms.

However, Moji IM is being developed to be able to monitor certain potentially dangerous patterns of conversation.

"Our technology allows the pet to 'understand' conversations so that no matter how something is said, it can detect the other person's intentions and determine where the discussion is heading," said Chong, Mor(f)'s managing director.

He said Moji IM For Kids comes with the company's KidSafe Engine which includes a threat meter that rises whenever the conversation broaches a risky subject.

"When the conversation reaches a threatening stage, it immediately sends a warning by e-mail or, in the future, via SMS to the child's parents," Chong said, adding that contact with the perpetrator could be blocked as well.

At the end of the day, Moji can also e-mail parents a summary of what their children discussed online without revealing every single detail.

"We don't want to create a 'big brother' environment, so the program will only provide a summary of what happened instead of detailing the events," Mor(f) chief executive officer (CEO) Fong explained.

This is less obtrusive than directly spying on the child using keyloggers or monitoring programs, and also spares busy parents from having to spend time rummaging through chat logs.

Another good feature of Moji IM is that it is able to simultaneously connect to all major instant message services, such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ and AIM, so users only need one chat program even if they have multiple accounts.

Also, unlike programs for child-safety, Moji pets also look cute and are attractive to children.

This way, Chong explained, children would naturally want to have the Moji IM installed in their PCs even if it is a monitoring program.

These pets would live in a specially-created virtual universe of their own – a concept similarly adopted by Neopets.com, a popular online virtual pet simulation game for kids.

stealth bump.

whta?

Fong said that the company is banking on this attachment to keep users shelling out the monthly subscription fee for the service because failing to do so will result in the pet dying.
I was dubious about the idea. Then this killed it. Losers.

So they want to sneak in the big brother state through the virual pet back door?

Quick, throw out your furbies!

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.

All the technology in the world can't prevent a stupid mistake.

No actual people are going to pay for a glorified instant messenger, ask those guys who made that wannabe IRC thing with a bunch of animal characters. And that was free except for additional content.

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.

All the technology in the world can't prevent a stupid mistake.

Oh my God.... are you fucking serious? Please for the love of all things that are Holy tell me that you don't actually advocate that people "deserve" to get rape. My god no one can be that stupid!!!! :mad:

*storms off*

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.

All the technology in the world can't prevent a stupid mistake.

Shut. The. Hell. Up.

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.
Wrong.

Unless this technology is capable of reading minds, I doubt it will be of much use.

And, honestly... how stupid do they think children are? It's cute and furry, so they'll automatically like it?

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.

All the technology in the world can't prevent a stupid mistake.



Have you even dealt with kids in your life?

Do you know of a thing called innocence or lack of adult understanding? Many kids don't necessarily refrain from replying back to adults with any sort of information, you know.

We should work on something self-aware...now that would be capable of securing the Internet once and for all. Not only does the internet think, but it uses the information you provide to improve itself and to learn more.

One can dream...

New Stalinberg, that comment was disgusting.

That said, I have an idea for a new watchdog for children. My program works wonders, and is free.

1) Move the computer out of the kids' room and into the kitchen/family room/living room where everyone can see it.

2) Periodically pass by, look over your minor's shoulder and see what they are doing.

3) Keep the lines of communication open by ASKING what they are doing and who they are talking to.

4) If you don't like the answers, unplug computer from internet until such time as your minor child understands your concern and the dangers.

New Stalinberg, that comment was disgusting.

That said, I have an idea for a new watchdog for children. My program works wonders, and is free.

1) Move the computer out of the kids' room and into the kitchen/family room/living room where everyone can see it.

2) Periodically pass by, look over your minor's shoulder and see what they are doing.

3) Keep the lines of communication open by ASKING what they are doing and who they are talking to.

4) If you don't like the answers, unplug computer from internet until such time as your minor child understands your concern and the dangers.

Dammit Kat, that is what the 3rd time we agree with one another? Either I'm moving towards the left, or you're moving towards the right. :D

Dammit Kat, that is what the 3rd time we agree with one another? Either I'm moving towards the left, or you're moving towards the right. :D

I think it's called moving towards "good parenting". :p

You've got it - it's called parents who pay attention. Now if we can just find an implimentation that does what its supposed to do...

Sorry - needlessly cynical today, disregard what I say.

Self-aware computers are even better, though, because they can go where parents can't...I mean, if the kid really wants to, they can hide their conversations pretty well.

Not with my AI, no sir...just give me 20 years or so to work on it.

Dammit Kat, that is what the 3rd time we agree with one another? Either I'm moving towards the left, or you're moving towards the right. :D

Only one possible answer: the world is coming to an end. ;)

If kids are stupid enough to give out personal information such as their location and phone number then they deserved to get raped.

All the technology in the world can't prevent a stupid mistake.

I hope you get hit by a bus.

God damnit people, I didn't mean you all to take that literally.

No matter how young you are, some things in life are fairly obvious.

I.E. don't run across moving traffic, don't stick your hand in the tiger's cage, and in this day and age, don't tell a stranger over the internet where you live.

Is that all not pretty obvious material?

Look Betty, this is the internet, there's no tone of voice here, so we have no idea that we can't take any crap that you say seriously. Of course after you have said that people actually deserve to get raped, I'm doubtful I'll take anything you say seriously. Regardless or not that it was meant to be literal, it was still disgusting, horrible, and one of the most unholy thing I have had the misfortune of reading. Quite honestly, if you have said that to me in person, I would've hit you in the face and kicked you in the nuts.

God damnit people, I didn't mean you all to take that literally.

No matter how young you are, some things in life are fairly obvious.

I.E. don't run across moving traffic, don't stick your hand in the tiger's cage, and in this day and age, don't tell a stranger over the internet where you live.

Is that all not pretty obvious material?

We should work on something self-aware...

You've got it - it's called parents who pay attention. Now if we can just find an implimentation that does what its supposed to do...

Sorry - needlessly cynical today, disregard what I say.

Dammit Kat, that is what the 3rd time we agree with one another? Either I'm moving towards the left, or you're moving towards the right. :D

I think you're both moving towards the middle.
Either that, or there are things you agree on despite both being, what, one inch from the center?
Cause really, you're not that right and she's not that left.

God damnit people, I didn't mean you all to take that literally.

No matter how young you are, some things in life are fairly obvious.

I.E. don't run across moving traffic, don't stick your hand in the tiger's cage, and in this day and age, don't tell a stranger over the internet where you live.

Is that all not pretty obvious material?

Actually, I think you may have disproved your own point, seeing as nobody managed to tell you were being (I think it's sarcastic? Exaggerating?



...metaphor?)

Only one possible answer: the world is coming to an end. ;)

Yep! :D

.troffe , on ro, elttil htiw defoops eb dluoc ti taht noitnem ot toN. suolucidir si segassem fo
gninaem dna txetnoc eht tceted dluoc taht .I.A na fo aedi elohw ehT

Regardless, Kat has the right of it.

.troffe , on ro, elttil htiw defoops eb dluoc ti taht noitnem ot toN. suolucidir si segassem fo
gninaem dna txetnoc eht tceted dluoc taht .I.A na fo aedi elohw ehT

At this point in time, yes. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try; the more things we can prevent without additional effort, the better.

But in the meantime, the only intelligence that can monitor these kids is the parents.

But in the meantime, the only intelligence that can monitor these kids is the parents.

Why should any intelligence be monitoring these kids?

At this point in time, yes. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try; the more things we can prevent without additional effort, the better.

But in the meantime, the only intelligence that can monitor these kids is the parents.

Well sure. But it's really a bollicks marketing gimmick at the moment though isn't it? It will be beaten faster than it can be improved.

Of course one day it will be able to do what it says on the tin. I just get scared that it might become self-referencing. :eek:

We should work on something self-aware...now that would be capable of securing the Internet once and for all. Not only does the internet think, but it uses the information you provide to improve itself and to learn more.

One can dream...

I think 'we' are working on self-aware machines. And while I don't want to discourage any amateurs from dipping their oar in, the real work will be done where the real money is: stock trading, weapons systems and virtual reality/games.

If this startup had any real tech capable of distinguishing a child from an adult masquerading as a child, they'd be talking about the tech, not the cute avatar and their crappy business plan. Hell, they wouldn't talk at all, but rather let the product sell itself and grow for a year before even talking about making people pay for it.

I'm guessing someone read The Diamond Age and got all inspired. We aren't there yet!

I think 'we' are working on self-aware machines. And while I don't want to discourage any amateurs from dipping their oar in, the real work will be done where the real money is: stock trading, weapons systems and virtual reality/games.

Err... artificial intellegince for weapons systems? Are you sure thats a good idea?

Err... artificial intellegince for weapons systems? Are you sure thats a good idea?

No. It's an abominable idea ... but like I said: "where the money is."

No. It's an abominable idea ... but like I said: "where the money is."

What money?

If self aware systems crop up, it won't be from weapons research. Weapons are a jobs issue.

More likely it will be some nerd with no sex life in the basement of one of those damn colleges.

What money?

If self aware systems crop up, it won't be from weapons research. Weapons are a jobs issue.

More likely it will be some nerd with no sex life in the basement of one of those damn colleges.

I said that already! "Virtual reality/games"

Weapons manufacture may be a jobs issue, but going out in the field and being shot at is a job for robots.

New Stalinberg, that comment was disgusting.

That said, I have an idea for a new watchdog for children. My program works wonders, and is free.

1) Move the computer out of the kids' room and into the kitchen/family room/living room where everyone can see it.

2) Periodically pass by, look over your minor's shoulder and see what they are doing.

3) Keep the lines of communication open by ASKING what they are doing and who they are talking to.

4) If you don't like the answers, unplug computer from internet until such time as your minor child understands your concern and the dangers.

But Kat!

This would demand that parents be RESPONSIBLE for what goes on inside the house!

And that is unthinkable!

if you're a furred series of 1s and 0s, well i don't have any children, so let's snuggle!

=^^=
.../\...

Weapons manufacture may be a jobs issue, but going out in the field and being shot at is a job for robots.

...and when those robots shoot at you and you can't shoot back because guns are "uncivilized" and fighting isn't something for humans anymore?

...we get Da Guvahnatah to take them out!

...and when those robots shoot at you and you can't shoot back because guns are "uncivilized" and fighting isn't something for humans anymore?

Yeah :(
I grew up on Asimov. As a kid the Three Laws of Robotics seemed quite plausible, a moral principle or two with intelligence built on top of it.
1. A robot may not harm a human being, or by inaction allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders of a human, unless doing so would conflict with the first law.
3. A robot must preserve its own wellbeing, unless doing so would conflict with the first or second laws.
(Roughly, from memory)
Asimov played with the rules quite a bit, and some of the variations were very clever. He didn't forsee that the market, the selfish desires of the average consumer, would determine what robots would really be like.
"Hey, Roomba, go down those stairs! Hey, my Roomba is broken! I want my money back!!"

Let's not talk about sentient killing machines. Think about them perhaps, but why tell them our plans? :(

New Stalinberg, that comment was disgusting.

That said, I have an idea for a new watchdog for children. My program works wonders, and is free.

1) Move the computer out of the kids' room and into the kitchen/family room/living room where everyone can see it.

2) Periodically pass by, look over your minor's shoulder and see what they are doing.

3) Keep the lines of communication open by ASKING what they are doing and who they are talking to.

4) If you don't like the answers, unplug computer from internet until such time as your minor child understands your concern and the dangers.
sounds like a plan!

also, to the OP after talking to iGod I wouldn't trust this thing to give me an accurate summary of the day.

I don't let my kids chat or IM without me right there with them, they are blocked from emailing people that I don't approve and can't receive email except from the addresses I approve and I monitor their web browsing as well.

They don't seem to care because this is all they know. :cool: