I am...very surprised by some of the discussion here. Maybe I'm just not that familiar with the harms of social media as someone who chooses not to use it. But support for anynomity and free access to information was always part of what I interpreted as the 'hacker ethos'.
It's been odd to see this pushback against social media transform into actual legislation for a flat out ban. Not forcing social media companies to end the use of tracking and dark patterns mind you, a flat our ban. It seems like admitting that humans just can't have unfettered access to each other's lives on a global scale. We can't stand to talk and exchange controversial opinions and see each other's best highlights without falling into toxicity, envy, and tribalism, nihilism and depression.
I don't like that thought, it doesn't bode well for our species.
I can't imagine what my childhood would have been like if I wasn't able to break out of the box my parents and society out me in and really reach out to conversations and ideas that many people would find dangerous. I don't think its an exaggeration to say I probably would have killed myself. And I mean that in a very real way. Society doesn't tend to be very kind to people like me. I realized I was a MAP from a young age and grew up thinking no matter what I did I was going to be a monster. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have anyone to talk to about that. Being at such a vulnerable age and not finding anyone who would listen.
The other commenters are right, this law is going to harm marginalized groups in Utah. Replacing the parents and preventing children from freely exchanging ideas isn't going to fix the core negative incentives that make these platforms addictive and toxic. Nor is it going to address the societal changes that would reduce people's dependence of social media. It's not going to make kids suddenly go outside and meet one another again. Maybe I'm wrong, I mean I hope I am, but I doubt it.
God I remember how much it sucked being a kid. Getting treated as property of my parents, as if they knew what was best for me when they couldn't even take care of them selves. All that unfiltered internet access led me to a successful InfoSec career, it led to an escape from my shit-hole life.
But my biggest concern is the possibility of stifling online anonymity through some aged verification system. A second-order effect that basically chills free speech without directly legislating on it. I'd hate for my kid to inherit a world like that, a world where they have to supply an ID to comment on Hacker News.
It seems like something worth fighting against. It makes me feel like being violent.
It's been odd to see this pushback against social media transform into actual legislation for a flat out ban. Not forcing social media companies to end the use of tracking and dark patterns mind you, a flat our ban. It seems like admitting that humans just can't have unfettered access to each other's lives on a global scale. We can't stand to talk and exchange controversial opinions and see each other's best highlights without falling into toxicity, envy, and tribalism, nihilism and depression.
I don't like that thought, it doesn't bode well for our species.
I can't imagine what my childhood would have been like if I wasn't able to break out of the box my parents and society out me in and really reach out to conversations and ideas that many people would find dangerous. I don't think its an exaggeration to say I probably would have killed myself. And I mean that in a very real way. Society doesn't tend to be very kind to people like me. I realized I was a MAP from a young age and grew up thinking no matter what I did I was going to be a monster. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have anyone to talk to about that. Being at such a vulnerable age and not finding anyone who would listen.
The other commenters are right, this law is going to harm marginalized groups in Utah. Replacing the parents and preventing children from freely exchanging ideas isn't going to fix the core negative incentives that make these platforms addictive and toxic. Nor is it going to address the societal changes that would reduce people's dependence of social media. It's not going to make kids suddenly go outside and meet one another again. Maybe I'm wrong, I mean I hope I am, but I doubt it.
God I remember how much it sucked being a kid. Getting treated as property of my parents, as if they knew what was best for me when they couldn't even take care of them selves. All that unfiltered internet access led me to a successful InfoSec career, it led to an escape from my shit-hole life.
But my biggest concern is the possibility of stifling online anonymity through some aged verification system. A second-order effect that basically chills free speech without directly legislating on it. I'd hate for my kid to inherit a world like that, a world where they have to supply an ID to comment on Hacker News.
It seems like something worth fighting against. It makes me feel like being violent.