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Comment by squarefoot | Hacker News Reader

Good, but not enough if you ask me. Mainstream social media make money out of angering people and the addiction it creates, and it affects everyone, not just kids: had a few grown ups among friends and other people, even over 60 and older, completely ruined by that crap. I don't see any reason why corporations that don't obey any moral obligation should be motivated to change their business model anytime soon, unless forced from above.

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What about non-mainstream social media? What about news services? What do you think would happen if we banned both, those people that get angry and addicted will just be happy and healthy? Or do you think corporations will find another avenue to try and manipulate people, which those people will happily flock to?

Non mainstream media by its definition probably doesn't attract much people and damages would be restricted; I think the most damage happens in crowded echo chambers where a critical mass, assuming there is one, would be easily reached. Yes, very likely corporations would find other ways to exploit people addiction, and educating kids before it's too late is a good move, however I don't expect much cooperation by parents.

> however I don't expect much cooperation by parents.

Why not? Most parents don't tend to hand their children drugs.

I meant parents who are among the grown ups I was referring to in my original post. Kids become addict to social media also because of their absence as parents, and giving bad example.

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