Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Roundtable.
Your child's new best friend might not be another child at all.
AI chatbots, storytelling robots, companion applications.
They're entertaining, they're comforting, and they're teaching kids earlier than ever.
But that said, China's Ministry of Education is now pushing back.
They want families to swap screens for playgrounds and swap apps for actual play.
In a world full of smart technology, how do we make sure that our kids are still being kids?
Coming to you live from our studios in Beijing, this is Roundtable.
My name is Steve.
Thanks very much for being with us today.
And for the show, I'm with Fei Fei and Xing Yu.
Coming up first.
June 1st marks International Children's Day.
From AI chat buddies and storytelling robots to companion apps designed to comfort, teach,
and entertain, digital technology is becoming part of childhood earlier than ever before.
For many families, smart devices are no longer just tools.
They're becoming children's new playmates and new friends, you could argue.
As society embraces innovation at breakneck speed,
China's Ministry of Education is now calling on families in kindergartens to put that to a stop.