For years, politicians from across the political spectrum insisted the Online Safety Act would focus solely on illegal content without threatening free expression. But from the moment its age-verification duties took effect on 25 July, that reassurance began to unravel.
I’m usually of the opinion that I don’t want kids in spaces like this, simply because I want adult comments. Then I look at shit I wrote as a teen, “This is going to be flat out stupid. Wait. This guy was fucking sharp!” Have never not been surprised reading stuff I wrote in high school. Turns out I wrote dumber shit in my 30s.
Then there’s the occasional user bold enough to state they’re like 14, and again, I’m amazed at how knowledgeable they are and how well they write. I think, “Damn! I wasn’t on the ball like that at that age!” See first paragraph.
Neighborhood teens and their friends used to hang out on a Saturday night. Had deeper conversations that I’m able to have with most adults! They could argue effectively, had no problem changing their view with good cause, no one beat anyone up for being “wrong”. You would think an old guy like me could manipulate them to dance to whatever tune. Hell no! They’d often fight me and tear down my arguments, never treated me as an infallible source of truth and changed my mind quite often. Clever bastards, very proud of them. One just got back from the Air Force and we’re meeting up with him and his wife!
Often have to remind myself, teenagers are not nearly so dumb as they’re made out to be. Wish more people weren’t afraid of stating their age around here. I find the additional context interesting. I’m 54 if anyone cares.
The concerns really have nothing to do with intellect. It’s more about how manipulative social media and the internet at large is. Many adults who watched it come about are still vulnerable to it. The developing mind is an important thing and change or damage during that period changes a person drastically