Charlotte WalkerJul 10

So Bluesky is about to require people to verify their age, which means sharing their real identity. I’ve no problem with people knowing my identity but then I’m not trying to hide from abusers. Or explore my gender. Or be a whistleblower. Or protest without getting arrested. Or or or… there are so many reasons people need anonymity.

Despite being myself online I am not keen to show Bluesky my scanned face or my bank card. So I guess I won’t be sticking around there.

I gave my advice before I left, which was “Switch to Mastodon, nobody there cares who you are, as long as you’re funny.”

Show threadJoJul 10
@purplepadma Its a thorny issue, with nasty stuff able to happen without any retribution, but I agree that much would be lost if anonimity was lost
Show threadCharlotte WalkerJul 10
@Beedazzled That’s not why they’re doing it. It’s because the UK government is trying to restrict young people’s access to porn sites by requiring age verification.
Show threadJoJul 10
@purplepadma yes, I know its causing all sorts of issues for small instances. Obviously I don't want kids to access porn but I am pretty sure they will circumvent whatever is put in place if they have a mind to. I do seem to be seeing more very explicit stuff on here which I don't want, but thats what the block button is for
Show threadCharlotte WalkerJul 10
@Beedazzled I’m pretty sure they will too, kids are devious at times and a lot more tech savvy than politicians!
Show threadGareth Kitchen
@purplepadma @Beedazzled

As soon as they were old enough I gave my two access to our ProtonVPN. It kept them safe and allowed them to bypass the school's filtering etc.

You have to properly educate them on the risks and how to keep themselves safe. That was my job as a parent.

They turned out fine btw.
Jul 12 at 1:24amWeb
Show threadMatija Nalis6d ago
@gruff @purplepadma @Beedazzled
a) there is no way in hell that any law would be able to prevent teenager wanting to find sex on the Internet from being successful in their intention; not even with North-Korean-level restrictions
b) Trying to force it anyway will only make them move to even shadier places on the 'net where they'll be at much more risk
c) if the worry is that they'll get dangerous/damaging ideas or whatever, then the correct way is to educate them beforehand.
d) less spying pls!