‘We’re not that gullible!’ Revealing dark pattern mental models of 11-12 year-old Scottish children
Article
Renaud, K., Sengal, C., Coopamootoo, K., Clift, B., Taylor, J., Springett, M. and Morrison, B 2024. ‘We’re not that gullible!’ Revealing dark pattern mental models of 11-12 year-old Scottish children. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1145/3660342
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | ‘We’re not that gullible!’ Revealing dark pattern mental models of 11-12 year-old Scottish children |
Authors | Renaud, K., Sengal, C., Coopamootoo, K., Clift, B., Taylor, J., Springett, M. and Morrison, B |
Abstract | Deceptive techniques known as dark patterns specifically target online users. Children are particularly vulnerable as they might lack the skills to recognise and resist these deceptive attempts. To be effective, interventions to forewarn and forearm should build on a comprehensive understanding of children’s existing mental models. To this end, we carried out a study with 11-12 year old Scottish children to reveal their mental models of dark patterns. They were acutely aware of online deception, referring to deployers as being ‘up to no good’. Yet, they were overly vigilant and construed worst-case outcomes, with even a benign warning triggering suspicion. We recommend that rather than focusing on specific instances of dark patterns in awareness raising, interventions should prioritise improving children’s understanding of the characteristics of, and the motivations behind, deceptive online techniques. By so doing, we can help them to develop a more robust defence against these deceptive practices. |
Sustainable Development Goals | 4 Quality education |
Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
Publisher | ACM |
Journal | ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction |
ISSN | 1073-0516 |
Electronic | 1557-7325 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 23 Apr 2024 |
Publication process dates | |
Submitted | 23 Mar 2023 |
Accepted | 11 Feb 2024 |
Deposited | 13 May 2024 |
Output status | Published |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Copyright Statement | For the purpose of open access, the authors have applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1145/3660342 |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/1378ww
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