Technology is helping children to be polite. There will be a new virtual assistant Alexa in Amazon. It is called “Free Time” and it is for children. The device will include a “Magic Word” feature. Actually, there are two magic words: “Please” and “Thank you.” The software is programmed to encourage children to say these two words when they ask the device questions. If a child asks Free Time, “What is the capital city of Australia?” The software will answer the question and end its response with “Thank you for asking so nicely.” Amazon hopes children will copy the device and be more polite.

The Magic Word feature is for people who think technology teaches children to be rude. Many smart devices say sentences without using any polite words. Parents say children copy this and forget to say “please” or “thank you”. Children also ask smart devices questions without being polite. 

Not everyone is happy with this new technology. Someone said, “AI devices get in the way of face-to-face interactions. Parents should spend time with children and teach them politeness.”