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technology10h ago
The world wants to ban children from social media, but there will be grave consequences for us all | Taylor Lorenz
- The article argues that bans on social media for under-16s risk creating a global, surveilled internet panopticon.
- Australia became the first to ban anyone under 16 from social media, prompting global imitators.
- The piece warns age-verification schemes require collecting sensitive biometric data and government documents.
- Critics say these laws threaten privacy, cybersecurity, and journalism by enabling tracking of anonymous voices.
- The author argues that comprehensive data-privacy reform would better protect children than bans.
- The piece suggests large platforms would bear most costs, potentially squeezing non-profit and indie sites.
- The author links age-verification debates to broader crackdowns on free expression during political turmoil.
- The article frames social media as a lifeline for marginalized youth, underscoring potential harms of bans.
- Lawmakers are urged to pursue policies that improve children's lives without restricting online access.
- The author cites breaches and ties to surveillance funding as reasons to resist age-verification schemes.
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