Some big investors of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) have recently asked the company to make more of an effort to prevent kids from getting addicted to their devices, since it could be detrimental to their development later on in life.
It might be an admirable thing for Apple to do, but should it be the company’s responsibility to take this on?
While ethics certainly take on a role in investing, it may be a bit optimistic for investors to expect that a company will spend money on studies and tools that will ultimately result in less enjoyment and usage of its products.
Keeping screen time limited for kids and ensuring that they are using their devices appropriately should be the job of parents, not Apple. The dilemma this creates for a company like Apple is that while it certainly wants young users to develop a strong brand loyalty, not being concerned about the well-being of its consumers is not a good image for its brand.
That’s not to say that Apple shares no blame or should do nothing about this, but if parents were concerned about their kids using an iPad or iPhone inappropriately, there are devices that are designed strictly for educational purposes that could be used in lieu of Apple’s products.
Although it may be admirable for a company to look out for the best interests of society, a venture like this should be a collaborative one that involves Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and other big players in the industry, rather than resting solely on one company’s shoulders.
