Is "banning" social media outright stupid?

3 hours ago by NightOps to c/privacy

Both the UK & AU have passed legislation in which they aim to "ban" social media for kids -16 (or that's the excuse they're using) when its the catalyst for mass surveillance (unfortunately, even if you tell them the truth: it's either people including your own family considering you paranoid or a conspiracy theorist). To avoid that, one must gather sufficient evidence debunking or dispelling the lies being shoved into the masses via media.

The common defense for this is "think of the children" from either lazy parents or Christian conservatives as that's the easiest lie ever told besides social media or internet usage (you heard that from games, movies or music restrictions in the past). IMO, "banning" SM outright or trying to reinforce AV towards everyone creates more hassle for both sides (users and companies) as SM companies can face large fines for non-compliance.

If you look at the larger picture: it treads on one's liberties such as freedom of speech & expression as what appears to be "no SM for -16" soon morphs into a 1984-esque dystopia where people will be detained for speaking their mind or the truth. This is what digital privacy advocates fear, basically saying that internet anonymity will cease or be deemed illegal if people lack critical thinking or can't see through the fog.

Even though the laws have passed in both countries: it does nothing as people (kids and adults) can still access SM. They know VPN's exist, banning or trying to lock that under AV will make them look stupid. SM is toxic due to the slop and demographic, but IMO should remain up to the individuals or families rather than the government (all MSM side with the state using "no SM for -16" omitting mass surveillance in the headlines).

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schnurrito 1 point 3 hours ago

Social media makes sure politicians and other powerful people cannot control very well what information people less powerful than them receive. No surprise that politicians may want to ban it (first for kids, maybe later for everyone?).

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NightOps 0 points 3 hours ago

I have a friend living in Australia when those laws took effect, basically nothing happened. Although there were certain websites asking for ID (however circumvented by using a paid VPN).

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schnurrito 1 point 3 hours ago

We should not argue against it on the grounds that it is ineffective. That just implies that it needs to be made more effective.

We should argue that democratization of information sharing is a good thing for society, and anyone wanting to reverse it is an authoritarian enemy of a free society.

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NightOps 1 point 3 hours ago

MSM pitch the "think of the children" agenda (whilst omitting mass surveillance) as they're either lobbied by politicians or paid by the state on pushing the narrative of "banning SM for kids -16 alleviates them being cyberbullied, exposure to violent or sexual content" with sharing sob stories trying to pinch people's heart.

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schnurrito 1 point 3 hours ago

mass surveillance

A slightly better argument than "ineffective", but still not the central reason why it's bad. I can think of ways to make it work without mass surveillance, but I'm not writing about them because I don't want to give any politicians who may be reading this any ideas.

banning SM for kids -16 alleviates them being cyberbullied

So that they can get bullied IRL instead, very much better amirite… /s

exposure to violent or sexual content

You see, I remember being a minor and adults trying to keep me away from violent or sexual content. I still do not see what the fuck is supposed to have changed on my 16th or 18th birthday or whenever that it would be ok afterwards, but not before?!

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NightOps 1 point 3 hours ago

One time, I've heard that a couple in the UK got an actual police visit over their FB post (WTF?!) just because a Karen complained about it. This happened after their SM "ban for kids -16" was enforced into law, what a coincidence? Nothing from their post contained anything offensive of threatening.

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