tiddy roosevelt2d ago

As a teenager I was intensely isolated from my peers. I had been removed from education by a parent and, along with my siblings, spent all my time at home. I had little in the way of homeschooling.

The internet, and in particular social mediums, ended up giving me a lifeline. It was my connection to the outside world and gave me a way to socialise, as well as signpost me to subjects I could then look up and learn.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back

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Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back

Social media platforms to be blocked from offering services to under-16s, marking a line in the sand and setting a new normal for future generations.

GOV.UK
Show threadtiddy roosevelt

Without the access I had to the internet I would be significantly lacking in terms of learning but also extremely isolated from any forms of socialisation outside of my immediate family. I cannot help but wonder what hope kids in my situation would fare like with this kind of policy in place.

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Jun 15 at 10:30amWeb
Show threadBiggles 20X6!2d ago
@babe it is a shame that the victims must pay again for the poor behaviour of the global social media companies.
Why politicians are so cowardly is the subject of many an unhinged rant in my head
Show threadColman Reilly2d ago
@babe you seem to think that’s a failing of the policy. To the extent it has a point beyond “something must be done” that *is* the point.
Show threadtiddy roosevelt2d ago

@Colman I don't. I think it's precisely the point.

But in my circumstance the level of harm it would have caused me is extensive, and the perspectives of kids withdrawn from society are often completely overlooked or ignored when it comes to things like this

Show threadColman Reilly2d ago

@babe it’s being pushed from the same nexus as the anti-gay and anti-trans stuff as far as I can tell. Not to mention the whole authoritarian structure being built around it.

I mean, it *could* be a coincidence.

Show threadChuck2d ago

@babe unfortunately I think that's the goal for a lot of people who support these policies, even though they won't say it out loud and a lot of them might not consciously realize it.

I came from a background where a lot of the parents of my peers were trying very hard to isolate their kids to control their environment. I know most of those parents would've absolutely adored this wave of isolationist policies.

Show threadMiakoda 2d ago
@babe Autistic and gay. I lived on AOL, and later AIM and ICQ, because I was at a tiny school and those 20 people didn't particualrly like me.
Show threadbachimusprime2d ago
@babe agreed, they're going to kill MANY kids with this, especially autistic kids who are isolated already ;-;