MicroWaveFeb 22, 2024

Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16

https://lemmy.world/post/12281007

Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16 - Lemmy.World

Florida is on the verge of passing one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media after the state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would keep children under the age of 16 off popular platforms regardless of parental approval. The measure now goes back to the state House, where the speaker has made the issue his top priority during the legislative session that ends March 8. Still, critics have pointed to similar efforts in other states that have been blocked by courts. The bill targets any social media site that tracks user activity, allows children to upload material and interact with others, and uses addictive features designed to cause excessive or compulsive use. Supporters point to rising suicide rates among children, cyberbullying and predators using social media to prey on kids.

Show threadoxjoxFeb 22, 2024

I can’t get over how this “limited government” party has gone from supporting parental rights and promoting family values to becoming fascists.

To be clear, there’s a ton of good to be said about preventing kids from using social media. Still, this should be up to the parents and, imo, all parents should limit or restrict it.

Isn’t this same as the cigarette and alcohol ban for minors, I hear you ask? No. Alcohol and cigarettes can be purchased from a shop. The government isn’t explicitly telling parents the kids can’t consume them, it’s banning the sale to minors. Social media and cell phones aren’t really something a 14 year old can get at a store or happen upon at a party. So, if smoking was legal and the parent restricted their 14 year old from smoking, it wouldn’t be too difficult for the kid to get a pack of their own. Social media is different. And shouldn’t involve government restrictions. Because, how the F is the government going to oversee and reprimand this?

Show threadbobs_monkeyFeb 22, 2024

how the F is the government going to oversee and reprimand this?

By requiring the platforms to verify the age of their users with identity checks and government ID. I’d bet the 16 cutoff age is because that’s the age when teens get either driver’s licenses or state ID cards.

Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with protecting kids. It’s entire aim is to tie online accounts to real life users.

Show threadÐ Greıt Þu̇mpkinFeb 23, 2024

They can already do that just through whatever back doors they can get into social media companies if the corps don’t already just give them the data.

What this is about is shutting young folks up online because they’re the most vocal opponents of stuff like the don’t say gay bill.

Personally I’m for government issued universal ID, and I think the government should provide a secure verification API, but I don’t think this because I think there should be age restrictions, I think it because I think it’d be a viable solution to mass botting. Something like 2FA being mandatory would also help so that just stealing someone’s card doesn’t automatically give you access to all their shit.

Show threadRivalarrivalFeb 23, 2024
It’s a viable solution to mass botting in the same way that burning down your fucking house is a viable solution for that spider that disappeared behind your headboard.
Show threadÐ Greıt Þu̇mpkinFeb 23, 2024
How is that even a remotely accurate comparison?
Show threadRivalarrival
It’ll work, but it is complete overkill, and has far more harmful side effects than benefits.
Feb 23, 2024 at 4:07amWeb
Show threadÐ Greıt Þu̇mpkinFeb 23, 2024
Exactly what harmful side effects are there here? It makes blocks and bans more effective, it significantly cuts down sock puppeting and mass botting, it renders engagement manipulation much more difficult, and it requires literally zero 1984 surveillance state shit, I mean unless you’re one of those quacks who thinks a state ID is 1984 surveillance shit despite it literally just making literally everything about securing state services more accessible including obtaining licenses and benefits.
Show threadRivalarrivalFeb 23, 2024

literally just making literally everything about securing state services more accessible including obtaining licenses and benefits.

When did “blocks and bans” become a “state service”?