Netflix slammed over ‘patches’ feature which may brainwash children to binge-watch

THERE is a new feature being tested that gives rewards for watching certain shows on the service but not everyone is impressed.

Fuller House can give you rewards.

A NEW Netflix feature has been slammed by child safety experts who say the app “undermines” parents.

The feature lets children collect “patches” by watching TV shows, raising concerns about binge-watching, reports The Sun.

According to some experts, the Netflix feature is actually training children to watch TV excessively.

The “patches” are collectable images that you can only access if you’ve watched an episode of Fuller House, Trollhunter or A Series of Unfortunate Events.

.

wait wtf are netflix patches pic.twitter.com/Z9NUxu0He3

— . (@camiIlaludd) March 8, 2018

You don’t get anything else from earning “patches” — each one is a reward in itself.

But although it sounds like harmless fun, the new feature has been condemned by US child advocacy group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.

Executive Director Josh Golin told Gizmodo: “It’s designed to turn kids into lobbyists and undermine parents’ limits

“It’s just incredible to me that as we’re having this national conversation about persuasive design of tech, and how tech is often designed for the benefit of tech companies at the expense of users’ wellbeing, that Netflix would test something like this.”

Netflix is testing a new feature that lets children earn “patches” for watching certain shows. What a great way to reward kids with the soothing nicotine they crave.

— Tweeting Son of a Bitch (@ianpauldukes) March 13, 2018

.@netflix has patches /badges now? What’s the deal with this?? As if getting my son to stop watching Netflix wasn’t hard enough. Now I have to deal with him wanting to binge endless hours of shows just to earn a silly patch? Not good. My opinion I know, but still I don’t like it!

— Ed Munoz (@LivingDadly) February 24, 2018

So, now #Netflix is apparently doing an achievement program via “patches”... As if any of us actually NEED a reason to binge watch more than we already do.#WTFNetflix #NetflixPatches #IAlreadyWaste4HoursADayWhatMoreDoYouWantFromMe

— Dawn (@lil_ms_drama) February 22, 2018

After thinking about the @netflix “patches” program for children some more, it is apparent how many levels this is dangerous on. #netflix

— Kyle Anderson (@kalestew) March 13, 2018

Netflix has confirmed that it is indeed testing the feature and it might not roll out to all users.

“We are testing a new feature on select kids titles that introduces collectable items for a more interactive experience, adding an element of fun and providing kids something to talk about and share around the titles they love,” a Netflix spokesman told Variety.

“We learn by testing, and this feature may or may not become part of the Netflix experience.”

But Golin says that it would be very dangerous if Netflix did launch the feature to all users.

“Children like to collect things.

“So this will probably be incredibly effective at getting kids wanting to watch more and more Netflix.

This story first appeared on The Sun and is republished with permission.

Originally published as Netflix slammed over ‘patches’ feature which may brainwash children to binge-watch