App unveiled that checks for adults posing as children

http://www.itproportal.com/2011/01/24/researchers-unveil-anti-child-grooming-app/#ixzz1BxZqEPW4

by wybo • 16 years ago

6 9 16 years ago

wybo• 16 years ago

I wonder how this impacts very intelligent / early of age children, that might be flagged as adults by it...

scapula• 16 years ago

My thoughts entirely. If this was ever used in practice it would need substantial improvement; it could create awkward problems for the fathers of well spoken children.

bellaire• 16 years ago

Agreed. Now the kids who happen to spell correctly, use larger words and proper punctuation will be further isolated from everyone else. Hooray for reinforcing the status quo!

bryanlarsen• 16 years ago

Actually, I doubt that correct spelling and punctuation is much of an indicator in the algorithm. Adults posing as children will try to talk like children, so they'll be dumbing down their conversation too. In fact, I suspect they may overcompensate.

I imagine it's looking more for incorrect usage of slang, usage of slang that's no longer current, et cetera.

jhamburger• 16 years ago

Exactly...When "to catch a predator" was on, they'd show the conversations and even the dumbest guys figured out which words to misspell and all of that.

On another note, do kids really still chat with strangers, ala AOL chat rooms circa 1995? The whole thing seems anachronistic.

klync2• 16 years ago

Indeed, because it's pattern based - it does not automatically assume that the adult is "smarter", but that any person whose communications are too far off the normal curve will, presumably, get flagged. Kids, be like everyone else, or we'll send the SWAT after you! (j/k - I do think this is a good thing)

robotron• 16 years ago

Interesting, although I'm skeptical about it working in reality. Won't this be foiled by someone just dumbing down their language skills?

praptak• 16 years ago

Looks like a double edged sword. Does it work on law enforcement officers too?

klync2• 16 years ago

My thoughts exactly. But, then again, I'd have to think that the people law enforcement is seeking aren't all that bright to begin with. Even if they used the software, they'd likely ignore its warnings in favour of satisfying their sick cravings.

App unveiled that checks for adults posing as children

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