We are thrilled to announce the publication of a new book chapter, "Children’s Understanding and Use of Voice-Assistants: Opportunities and Challenges," co-authored by Dr. Dubé. This chapter is part of the influential volume Handbook of Children's and Screens, published by Springer.

Voice assistants (VAs) like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant have become ubiquitous in homes and classrooms, offering new ways for children to engage with technology. This chapter explores how children interact with these devices, focusing on the ease of use afforded by natural language interfaces and the challenges posed by their human-like qualities. The research highlights critical implications for children's social cognition and learning, raising questions about how VAs shape young users' understanding of technology, communication, and even human relationships.

Drawing on empirical findings, the chapter also provides  insights for caregivers, educators, developers, and policymakers. It emphasizes the importance of designing VAs that support children's developmental needs while mitigating potential risks, such as the reinforcement of gender stereotypes or overreliance on technology for problem-solving. It  also highlights the need for educators to provide robust digital literacy education that empowers children to use these tools effectively and critically, fostering skills that support safe and meaningful engagement with AI.

We invite you to explore this thought-provoking work and consider its implications for the future of educational technology and digital literacy. The chapter is available online through SpringerLink.

For more on how TLC lab studies children's interaction with AI check out our other projects here.