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EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

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111–120 of 503 posts

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#111

The most on-brand solution for the EU would be to require mobile phone users to upload brain scans in real-time so the state can check for neural activity associated with addiction.

The most on brand solution for a kneejerk reactionary American would be to satirize the EU for its consumer protections.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#112

I don’t think this is only a kids issue. A lot of adults need this too. The addictive apps are very well designed, while most blockers are either too easy to ignore or too annoying to keep using. I built a small iOS blocker because I had the same problem. Making it strict enough to actually work without making people hate it is the main challenge.

Toast notifications were the big mistake. Also badges. In my perfect world, the only thing to retain the ability to keep messages alerting the user that someone tried to contact them would be voicemail, subject to the same spam laws as everything else.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Goes away, or is liable for the content promoted to the frontpage under the OP's take? But I'd agree, that it's personalisation rather than just curation that's the issue. I think even requiring sites to have a "bring your own algo" version (and where ads are targetted to the algorithm, rather than the person) would cure a lot of ills. As is, even with something like Spotify where you _are_ paying there's no easy way…

> Goes away, or is liable for the content promoted to the frontpage under the OP's take? Same thing. There is no Hacker News if Y Combinator becomes liable for user submitted content. It’s an obvious backdoor play to make sites go away. If a site becomes liable for content posted, you cannot allow users to post content without having the site review and take responsibility for every comment and every post. The people…

>It’s an obvious backdoor play to make sites go away.

Oh no.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#114

This is pretty easy to solve. If you present data by algorithm, you are no longer an impartial common carrier and are liable for the content you present. If the user decides you don’t, ala social media 1.0.

> If you present data by algorithm, you are no longer an impartial common carrier and are liable for the content you present Hacker News is a site that presents data by algorithm. Under your definition, Hacker News goes away, too. A more accurate framing would be that they’re going after personalized recommendation algorithms. It’s not obvious that offering a recommendation algorithm would mean that the site is no lo…

The algorithm is not personalized. It's the same for every user. No issue there.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#116

This is pretty easy to solve. If you present data by algorithm, you are no longer an impartial common carrier and are liable for the content you present. If the user decides you don’t, ala social media 1.0.

How does this specific horrible take rank so highly on HN whenever something adjacent to big tech gets posted. "impartial common carrier" is not even an extent legal concept.

It's been argued to death already, I just have to express shock that I'm still seeing this non-starter constantly here.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#117
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An an adult, do you also believe seat belt laws are a bad thing?

Yes, I do. Its just another way that cops can pull you over for bullshit charges and revenue enhancement. I remember in my state, it was initially only a citation that couldnt be pulled over on. Then they flipped that and started pulling over for it. Why? Pure fucking money grab. Me not wearing a seatbelt means I risk getting splattered. Not you, or anyone else.

>Me not wearing a seatbelt means I risk getting splattered. Not you, or anyone else.

Physics says otherwise. In a collision you don't decide where you body is yeeted and your skull could end inside the skull of a passenger using his seatbelt. Don't be a moron. https://youtube.com/shorts/n2yLMGA_YSA?si=AlvRgfpb-PJxGCBw

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#118
I heard someone on a podcast call social media algorithms "the modern-day cigarette" and that really resonated with me. These companies know their product is addictive and bad for users, but they keep pushing it anyways. Like cigarettes, it's bad for everyone, not just kids. I made an algorithm blocker for Safari because of that and it's actually crazy how much more pleasant social media is if you don't have recommendation algorithms at all. I think the EU and other jurisdictions should really look beyond just limiting this stuff to kids, but I understand why it's starting there...

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#119
post #108
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Hacker News goes away, too. so be it.

This is a strange thing to comment on HN. If you truly believed it why would you be here?

The majority of terminally addicted people I have interacted with at length have both recognized the terminal nature of their addiction and been unable to do anything about it.

That's the nature of addiction.

Re: EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids

#120

I don’t think this is only a kids issue. A lot of adults need this too. The addictive apps are very well designed, while most blockers are either too easy to ignore or too annoying to keep using. I built a small iOS blocker because I had the same problem. Making it strict enough to actually work without making people hate it is the main challenge.

On the radio I heard a reporter talking about things China does during school exams. Apparently all schools have exams at the same time and during that period, social media shuts down at night. I forget the exact hours (10pm - 6am maybe). I'm starting to think that would be a great policy in general for everybody. I think they also said AI companies go offline during exam hours, but I may have got that wrong.

Absolutely wild that we’re seeing proposals to shut down parts of the internet and regulate when people can talk to each other on social platforms as a real suggestion on HN.

I feel like we’ve completely lost the plot when we’re starting to invite government partial Internet shutdowns as a good idea. This is a totalitarian government play.

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