Better Decisions for Children with “Big Data”

Can Algorithms Promote Fairness, Transparency and Parental Engagement

Datos Bibliográficos

ID13025596
AutoresBeth Coulthard (0000-0001-9395-9031, University of Ulster, autor de correspondencia), John Mallett (0000-0001-7539-3329, University of Ulster), Brian J Taylor (0000-0002-3833-1986, University of Ulster)
Año2020
Volumen10
Número4
Páginas97-97
Fecha de publicación2020-12-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSocieties (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/soc10040097
OpenAlexW3110820996
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas13
Referencias citadas49

Most countries operate procedures to safeguard children, including removal from parents in serious cases. In England, care applications and numbers have risen sharply, however, with wide variations not explained by levels of socio-economic deprivation alone. Drawing on extensive research, it is asserted that actuarial decision tools more accurately estimate risks to children and are needed to achieve consistency, transparency, and best outcomes for children. To date, however, child protection has not achieved gains made within comparable professions through statistical methods. The reasons are examined. To make progress requires understanding why statistical tools exert effect and how professionals use them in practice. Deep-rooted psychological factors operating within uncertainty can frustrate processes implemented to counter those forces. Crucially, tools constitute evidence; their use and interpretation should not fall to one practitioner or professional body and modifications must be open to scrutiny and adjudication. We explore the potential of novel big data technology to address the difficulties identified through tools that are accurate, simple, and universally applied within child protection. When embraced by all parties to proceedings, especially parents and their advisors, despite societal fears, big data may promote transparency of social work and judicial decisions

Adjudication · Big data · Computer security · Consistency (knowledge bases · Data science · Political science · Public relations · Scrutiny · Transparency (behavior · Computer Science · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare · Law · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence