Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

bloomberg.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 506 posts

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#51

Post by nemomarx »

Aurornis wrote: post #24
deadbabe wrote: post #5

Knowing how kids are, they will just snicker and skirt their way around these bans anyway thinking they are some super bad ass. This is mostly symbolic.

I always find it entertaining to see the contrast and tech sites between everyone bragging about circumventing internet blocks when they were a kid, then when a story about blocking parts of the internet from kids comes up it’s just assumed that it will work. Then there’s the contrast between calls for regulating social media for kids followed by the outrage when people realize that 1) products they use are considere…

Since something has to be done (seemingly) to appease parents, I think tech companies and people here should focus on something that looks good like parentally controlled smartphones or whatever with age locks on the phone end. The kids will get around it anyway, but that's true in any set up (worst case they borrow an adults ID) and at least it might get the parents to not worry as much?

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#52

Post by firefax »

The issue is not the age you come online, it's what happens when you do.

Delaying from 13 (COPPA) to 16 won't change a thing.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Home Alone -- I thought if I had one of those talkboys, I could get some changes made. But in an age where every teen has a recording device in their pocket, I continue to see the kinds of stories that made my blood boil... because when it came time to get the authorities involved they dragged their feet the entire time, if they would even file a report at all, and that inaction is paired with a "zero tolerance" policy on any kind of self defense that sends kids out into the world reluctant to give folks the rightful punch they deserve if they act out (and are entitled to give in most stand your ground states.)

Extending adolescence doesn't solve the root problems here, and conversely, more adults should reread a copy of "1984" and be a little more fearful they're held to the rules and norms they instill on the youth.

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#56

Post by ottah »

brazukadev wrote: post #16

It is funny to see all countries afraid of doing what should be done: fine and block the social media companies that don't fix their brainrot algorithms. Adults are not better at handling them than kids.

Because they don't actually care about social media use, it's just a pretext to force everyone to implement mandatory id checks.

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#57

Post by jmyeet »

The one part I was curious about was who would be responsible for this? The app or the OS? The article says the app makers, which I think is correct.

In the US, Meta in particular is pushing for OS-level age verification [1]. What a surprise. The company without an OS wants OS makers to do it and, more importantly, to be liable for it.

Many purists believe such a move is bad for freedom of expression. I'm sympathetic to this argument to a degree but I think we've shown that it's been a failure. More to the point, whether or not you agree with age verification, it's coming regardless so the only issue really is what form it takes.

This will go beyond social media too. I'm thinking specifically of gambling. I'm including crypto gambling as well as sports betting and prediction markets. In the real world we require you to go to a casino to gamble and you will have your age checked at the door. We've just been removing the barriers to gambling addiction and extending it to minors. My prediction is that this will change.

For anyone who thinks teens will just get around this with VPNs and other workarounds, of course some will. Not everyone will. And blocking such measures will get better over time. Also, network effects will come into play. What will it do if half your friends aren't on social media? What about 75%? 90%?

Also, this is going to cut into advertising to minors. That I think is a win. Companies won't be able to target minors in affected markets. Meta (etc) will be legally responsible for making sure they can't. That's good.

Just like tobacco bans to minors aren'100% effective, neither does this.

[1]: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/reddit-user-uncovers-beh...

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#58

Post by elictronic »

dude250711 wrote: post #36

Should be banned for under 40s and over 70s really... Also ban giving toddlers iPads with YouTube.

I’m over 40 and this trash works on addicting someone like me just fine. Social media companies went full Icarus and I couldn’t be happier watching the wax run.

How do you invest in ad companies that ran ad campaigns for smoking companies.

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#59

Post by pj_mukh »

mytailorisrich wrote: post #38
pj_mukh wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"This is 100% an education issue" It is not. Most parents I know have seen what it does to their kids, but have zero childcare. I have a white-collar remote job and can police my kids. If I was dual-parent working class, I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. I'm glad these laws are getting on the books, so at least the peer pressure of a classroom can get to a good majority of kids. The kid with the iPad at the r…

It is a parenting issue. As a parent you can only get your children a smartphone when you decide they are old enough, and then iOS and Android have parental control down to app level. Decent schools also ban phones now as well.

"Decent schools also ban phones now as well."

Yes and decent countries ban social media, because like schools, the countries recognize this is a collective action issue. You get your children a smartphone when it becomes the only way they can connect with their peers. That's my point.

Re: Norway set to become latest country to ban social media for under 16s

#60

Post by brazukadev »

ottah wrote: post #56
brazukadev wrote: post #16

It is funny to see all countries afraid of doing what should be done: fine and block the social media companies that don't fix their brainrot algorithms. Adults are not better at handling them than kids.

Because they don't actually care about social media use, it's just a pretext to force everyone to implement mandatory id checks.

At least in my country that is not the issue but the US government literally threatening counteract with tariffs and sanctions.
Post reply on HN