i really hope 40 years from now people will look at banning kids from social media the way people now look at the satanic panic of the 80s

@eniko except that social media really IS designed by researchers to be maximally addictive, so I'm not sure that compares fully.

Of course, that part should be banned for everyone.

@larsmb @eniko

Satanic Panic doesn't have a list of victims, but I got this in 2 seconds of searching.

Teens Whose Deaths Were Linked to Social Media:

Molly Russell (14): A British teen whose 2017 death was linked to social media, prompting inquests into Instagram and Pinterest content.
Jordan DeMay (17): Died by suicide in 2026 after a "financial sextortion" scam involving a fake Instagram account, leading to a lawsuit against Meta.
Coco Arnold (17): Died in 2022 from fentanyl-laced pills allegedly sold by an older man contacted through Instagram.
Bradyn Bohn (17): Died by suicide following a financial sextortion scheme, leading to a lawsuit against Meta.
Cameron Murphy (15): Died by suicide; his mother cited his addiction to Instagram and TikTok.
Jools Roome (14): Died in 2025 after a suspected TikTok challenge.
JackLynn Blackwell (9): Died in 2026 attempting a viral social media dare.
Renna O'Rourke: Died attempting a "dusting" challenge in 2025.
Ciara Pugsley: Committed suicide after being bullied on Ask.fm.
Jessica Laney: Hanged herself after being bullied on Ask.fm.
Daniel Perry: Jumped to his death after being blackmailed on Skype.
Audrey Sites: Died from suicide following targeting on Roblox.

@JoeHenzi @larsmb @eniko Dungeons and Dragons was linked to a bunch of deaths in the 80s. It was all bullshit of course, but there is always something we have to blame for 'the state of the kids'

Social media
Video games
Dungeons and Dragons
Rock and Roll
Books

It's always the same thing, just the focus of the panic changes.

@draftexcluder @larsmb @eniko

But those stories weren't real, D&D didn't put out a product designed to exploit your deepest desires, wants, needs. You really need to understand what's happening with social media and your brain.

You also need to understand what evidence is, sorry. There are lists of dead kids, even Facebook has evidence of their product bringing harm to people - but yes, we should defend them....

EDIT: Christ, just SEARCH the topic - there was ONE case they lost. Facebook didn't prevail, there is evidence, there ARE dead kids, think again which side you're choosing here.

@JoeHenzi @draftexcluder @larsmb @eniko so this should be an easy one for you; if Facebook is the problem (and it is) why does every piece of legislation that's just appeared around the world target the kids, not Facebook's practices? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

Facebook doesn't care if the kids are (theoretically) gone, it means the heat is off them a bit, and they can ramp up the abusive practices.

@jimbob

What a weird comment - Facebook is the problem, the legislation is wrong. Pretty simple. Get rid of Facebook, still the same. Not sure why you think you "got me" here. Also we protect kids in society. Not sure about you, maybe you don't.

@JoeHenzi so the legislation is wrong, but you're going around here telling the people opposed to the legislation that they...hate kids or something? I guess you're right, social media is fucked up.
@jimbob Yes. That's exactly what happened. There is only ever two options, there is only ever two readings. There is only ever right and wrong and it's social media - you are always on the right side. It's fine, don't worry.