It's nice to be a digital hermit in this world. For example, I only have one resource where I write and read posts from 10 people (who write regularly). On YouTube, I choose the videos that interest me.

I was recently talking with my children, and we discussed what we watch on YouTube—whether we choose the videos or whether the videos choose us.

I don't have an answer. But I think no matter who and how control our digital lives, the amount of corrupting information in the world is at a record high. So the role of the family and the role of the individual (a child or their parent/relative) become crucial in information hygiene.

With the web, Tiktok, each child is at the worst school and the worst company, with exceptional morons at the next desk.

My friend Tom's kids could not have social media until 18. My son didn't have it until he moved out at 18.5 years. I shudder when I see 4 and 5 year olds (or younger) playing on cell phones. They are oblivious to the world around them. I think it's a good thing, the ban, though I'm sure some will try to subvert it.

I'm not sure how the authorities enforce this ban but whatever they do I'm sure kids are going to find ways to get around it if they're desperate enough. For them, nothing is gonna stop them.

Where I think the ban will work is for those kids and parents who do want to minimise social media interaction but don't have the means or will power to do it. I'm sure there are lots of them around who will welcome this

Years ago I hoped that things like Hive would help give freedom with responsibility, but it hasn't caught on. I liked the discussions here and opportunity to dream, but in 2025 it looks dark. People seem to prefer brain rot. Maybe gen alpha will come to enjoy a place to think without being distracted. But what I get in elementary school is "6,7!!!!" It's interesting because this is not only Korea nut globally. More and more the kids are influenced by the same slop. Personally I'd like to say I taught my kids to think and gave them time to play. Now they are older and have to make their own decisions.

I don't think government bans are a good idea and can't replace parenting and education. Besides, the restrictions are easy enough to get around if you know how...and all kids will know how in pretty short order.

I am all for the ban, even if it doesn't work. I think parents should ultimately take responsibility for their kids, but the problem is, many parents are not good at it. The way they let kids use social media is one thing, but the same parent s seem to also be unable to provide healthy food, or suitable activity.

Most do not realise how much control and influence the data companies have. It would be interesting to get a full list of everything they know and how they could use it at an individual level.

Seat belts and bike helmets probably do work, but making laws to enforce their use? I don't think so. I'm reminded of a conversation on my bike journey (passing through Humptulips, Washington) where we filled up our bottles from a garden hose, saying: "We're from the in-between generation that drinks from the hose but wears helmets."

Even imagining a law that would try to keep me from drinking from the hose makes me chuckle. - Though here in Mexico there have been such efforts to discourage people from drinking municipal tap water in favor of buying bottled water. Of course in the name of our well being!

I thought Australia had pretty strict gun laws already. But clearly, that doesn't keep people from getting one if they really want to. Or if they do, people will find another way to cause massive harm, such as driving a motor vehicle into a crowd. It has happened...

Will we have to give our ID to Facebook to prove we are 18? If that happens, it just goes to show that it has never been about the children's health and safety.

So how do I think parents should effectively protect their kids online? I suggest teaching them to identify the venom on the internet, become aware of what it does, calling it out for what it is, and staying away from it. Of course this is a long and ongoing process, which requires ideally more than two parents. But I'm sure friends, neighbors, and interested families can get together to do this. Kinda like how kids are collectively taught not to play with poisonous snakes and spiders (honestly, something I can only imagine, but supposedly is part of the Australian reality - please verify or correct me otherwise).

Will we have to give our ID to Facebook to prove we are 18? If that happens, I'm definitely out.

Your points are all well taken yet my feeling is that the real motivation is to require digital ID for those who are not underage. You can drive trucks through the loop holes and the DarkNet is a browser download away. The argument is good yet not convincing to me. Oz seemed the test ground to how far they could push the COVID mandates. Is it a coincidence that they are pushing again in the Five Eyes world?

I had so much joy reading the comments on this post. I have nothing further to add, other than this will be an interesting gestation period to see where online these kids do end up. How they will develop differently from those that came before and had "it all", and what dangers or bounties lurk beyond the mainstream.

Update: @riverflows, I paid out 3.440 HIVE and 0.305 HBD to reward 6 comments in this discussion thread.