NetflixNow wants to compensate kids for viewing series and movies, as if getting people to binge watch content on its site wasn’t motivation enough. Yes, a gamified streaming service for youngsters is now being tested by Netflix with a small group of consumers.
If you’re curious, the feature will allow youngsters to amass Patches by watching television. Patches are simply collecting things, and for users who are taking part in the test, the eligible shows (shows that can earn you patches) are indicated with red locks.
What the heck are #Netflix patches?! pic.twitter.com/Mv2XG2XA3D
Kaley (@KaleyAmo) February 24, 2018
A representative for Netflix said in an official statement to Variety, “We are testing a new feature on select kids titles that provides collected things for a more interactive experience, adding a fun aspect and providing kids with something to talk about and share around the titles they love.” Testing helps us learn, thus this feature might or might not make it into the Netflix service.
In case you’re wondering, you don’t actually get anything for your Patches. For Netflix, it serves more as a conversation-starting activity that will boost audience engagement and exchanges.
However, there is rising worry about how this decision may impact the intended audience, namely children and young people. Netflix is just as dangerous for you as unrestrained use of social media, video games, or TV viewing. Additionally, rewarding binge-watching is just a snub to the detractors. On Twitter, some users are already incensed about this action.
.@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 (@dadlytech) February 24, 2018
Facebook received a great deal of unwelcome attention last month because of Messenger Kids. David Marcus, vice-president of messaging products for the corporation, dismissed all the criticism and praised the product. At least two shareholders have already put pressure on Apple to take action to reduce the negative consequences of children using smartphones for extended periods of time. A study on the matter, conducted by EvenMotorola and centred on a phone-life balance scale, was just published. Thus, the worry that youngsters will become addicted to platforms is extremely genuine and should cause Netflix to think twice before implementing such Patches everywhere.
On a lighter note, it would be amazing if Netflix could simply begin paying adults in cryptocurrencies to binge-watch its series.
