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Worldwide Censorship Is Coming... and Australia May Be the Blame.

Australia launches youth social media ban it says will be the world's 'first domino'

More than 1 million social media accounts held by users under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia in a divisive world-first ban that is being closely watched elsewhere.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/australia-launches-youth-social-media-ban-rcna246730

This will require internet users to identify themselves so as to prove they are an adult (or 16+ in Australia's case).

This will allow governments to track down and punish anyone who writes anything they don't like.

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22Michelle · 70-79, T

The ban is an attempt to reduce, if not end, the damage to children from social media, eg cyber bullying. Will it work, what problems will emerge?
Personally I'm sympathetic to the aims, but doubtful it will succeed, if they can even define what success means. However, the Australian Government is not the Trump Maga insanity, so we may actually learn something. And it may just pressurise the social media companies to take more responsibility for their products impact on children.

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Roundandroundwego · 61-69

@Platinum she slammed the table, shouted and told the legislature that they know less about how to use social media than kids, and therefore they don't matter. Addiction. On display, with threats.

Lila15 · 22-25, F

@beckyromero I don't think banning guns is a good idea, either.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@Lila15

Depends on what type of guns.

If you say none, then I want by 16" naval rifle.

Stop any home invaders before they get within 20 miles.

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

As a rule of thumb i thoroughly mistrust any 'ban' or 'promotion' of something by the state.
Especially if they suggest it's for 'safety' reasons.

If they have to do that, somebody, somewhere doesn't have the control they ought to.

The trouble with this is that if you allow it for this reason the government of the day will consider it perfectly reasonable to ban whatever it likes if it perceives it as a political/religious/economic threat in the future

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

This is not necessarily a terrible idea... as long as it is up to each country and its voters to decide if they want to implement it. Unrestricted social media regardless of age is as reckless as unrestricted access to gun ownership regardless of age.

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Lila15 · 22-25, F

@22Michelle He won by a historically narrow margin, so it's not like Americans voted for him in a landslide. If Biden hadn't run for a second term and the Democrats had held a regular primary, I'm convinced Trump would have lost.

Going by the results of elections this year, the Republicans are in trouble, and most of that can be traced to growing disapproval of Trump.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@Lila15

The last time the Democrats won the White House by holding a primary & nomination process to replace an outgoing Democrat president was in 1856 with James Buchanan. How'd that turn out?

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

You think censorship isnt built into Twitter under Musk? I wont even bring up Truth Social. But if the management of all the social media platforms had acted responsibly again cyberbullying, grooming by predators and misuse in stalking and tracking, then none of this would have happened.😷

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@whowasthatmaskedman

So, are you ready to turn over your identifying documents to every social media website you wish to visit?

How about the next step Down Under, perhaps a spin-off of our fascist government's next adventure: requiring you to turn over all your social network user names to customs agents when you enter and exit the country so they can rifle thru all your posts to see if you are a "loyal" citizen?

Trump to force all foreign tourists to provide FIVE YEARS of social media history before entering the United States

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15369957/Trump-foreign-tourists-social-media-history.html

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@beckyromero Actually Yes. But bear in mind I have a long travel history involving security checks to be in the presence of important people. And this is my only social media presence. My family had strict instructions my image was never to appear on their Facespace or instathingy.. As for America. Been there, done that. Bought the tee shirt..And I dont take Trump seriously anyway. I am far enough away not to. But the government after Trump will control Americas social media by stealth. Look at who donates to Trump now..😷

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

This will allow governments to track down and punish anyone who writes anything they don't like.

It won't, because in a mature democracy such as Australia with a healthy rule of law, you cannot legislate for one thing and then use that law for a purpose completely unrelated.

Most countries require people wishing to buy alcohol and tobacco on the High Street to supply proof of identity. This is long established and has not provided a backdoor to government censorship.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@SunshineGirl

mature democracy such as Australia

🤣

Couldn't the United States once have been described as such? And look at what has happened since 2016.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@beckyromero I think a similar law could be dangerous with an unrestrained executive . .

Bumbles · 56-60, M

I think it’s a reasonable limitation given the potential harm.

TradEmily · 26-30, F

kids shouldn’t have social media at all imho

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22Michelle · 70-79, T

@beckyromero That is both the best and worst advice I've ever heard.

Lila15 · 22-25, F

@TradEmily Private companies can limit access to their products and services any way they like, as long as it doesn't restrict anyone's civil rights. That being said, I doubt if a site having a rule that kids under 13 can't access them has stopped anyone. It's more of a CYA issue. Another example would be if you go to a site that sells alcohol, and you have to click a box saying that you're above the legal drinking age where you live. That doesn't prevent kids from browsing those sites or even purchasing from them, but it does allow the site to say "hey, it's not like we're not doing anything."

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@Lila15

If you go to a site that sells alcohol ... That doesn't prevent kids from browsing those sites or even purchasing from them...

Purchasing them how? Perhaps with stolen or falsified payment credentials (or with the illegal permission of the seller).

But not with a legal credit card in the minor's name without parental consent to be given the credit card in the first place.

Parents and guardians can restrict access to cable tv, cell phones, computers, etc. Parents need to parent.

We don't need a nanny state.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

I thought US security forces were hegemonic online and plan to use AI to control us.

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