'Animal-centred internet' may be possible, scientists suggest
New research found that parrots preferred live video calls over recorded video messages - which may lay the foundations for an online world for animals, researchers said.
An "animal-centred internet" - which could allow pets to interact with each other as well as humans - may be possible, scientists have suggested.
The findings come following a new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow found that parrots may prefer live chats with their friends over recorded messages - part of wider research that they said could pave the way for an online world for animals.
Scientists believe parrots prefer the video calls because they may be able to tell the difference between live chats and pre-recorded messages.
Lead author Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, from the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science, said the internet holds "a great deal of potential for giving animals agency to interact with each other in new ways".
But she warned "the systems we build to help them do that need to be designed around their specific needs and physical and mental abilities".
"Studies like this could help to lay the foundations of a truly animal-centred internet."
Dr Hirskyj-Douglas added: "Our previous research had shown that parrots seem to benefit from the opportunity to video call each other, which could help reduce the mental and physical toll that living in domestic situations can take on them.
"In the wild, they live in flocks and socialise with each other constantly.
"As pets, they're often kept on their own, which can cause them to develop negative behaviours like excessive pacing or feather-plucking."
The study, which also involved a team from Northeastern University in the US, aimed to explore the online social lives of nine pet parrots.
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