This Is the World (Recommender Systems Made It for You):Capturing Risk Pathways for Children through a Pluralistic Multi-Risk Assessment of Recommenders

Abstract

Recommender systems increasingly shape children's online experiences, yet the risks they might pose remain poorly understood. Formal risk assessments are rare, overlook children's experiences, treat them as a homogeneous group, and often consider risks on a population-wide level. To provide a more nuanced child-centered perspective on risks associated with recommenders, we conduct a comprehensive risk assessment that examines multiple risks simultaneously and captures individual-level exposure rather than solely aggregated metrics. We also explore behavioral characteristics that make some children more susceptible to risk exposure to grasp how individual differences shape the manifestation of risks. Our results highlight the need for risk assessments that recognize heterogeneity among children and understand when risks become systemic' through individualized recommendation patterns. These insights spark the discussion about child-aware recommenders and ongoing regulatory efforts for evidence-based accountability.