How technology impacts children

Bram Jonker is involved in bringing innovation and technology to the digital transformation within Deloitte Tax & Legal. It may be his first time at the Caux Forum but he is no stranger to the Caux Palace where he studied as a student of the Swiss Hotel Management School. He found the Ethical Leadership in Business conference, during which he was a speaker, an enriching experience. ‘It is really about listening, no judgements, no right or wrong answers. It is a safe environment where people can share what they truly believe.’ Bram, for example, has a lot to share about the impact of technology on children now and in the future.

For him, technology is like the water in a bathtub. ‘When parents put their children in the bathtub they first have to check the temperature of the water.’ Parents have the same responsibility when it comes to checking the technology their children use. This is why Bram tests every gadget himself before giving it to his children. If he feels that he cannot trust it, he will search for an alternative.

Bram is convinced that technology will evolve in a way that helps children. For example, when a child asks the virtual assistant what the weather is like instead of simply giving the answer, it could take a more educational approach and explain how to look at the clouds. However, evolution takes time. ‘Until [the technology] is ready, people have to take responsibility. We are not victims; we are making choices.’

Bram believes that ‘jobs remain, tasks shift’ and as a result automatization will be a great opportunity for future generations. Indeed, repetitive tasks are slowly disappearing and being replaced by work involving creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking. As robots take care of the boring tasks, more time is freed for meaningful human activities and interaction.

During the conference Bram shared these insights with a wide range of people, who might give him a new perspective about the role technology will play in his children’s life.

As he says,‘I have never been in such a diverse group of people, with different positions in governmental agencies, non-profit organisations but also in the commercial industries and it is very interesting to hear their different points of view.’

• Watch the video on 2019 Ethical Leadership in Business's highlights
• Read our report on ELB 2019
• Discover the pictures of the event
• Relive some of the moments by watching our interviews and coverage on Facebook.

Text: Nicole Walther

Photo: Paula Mariane