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Comment by EA-3167 | Hacker News Reader

One of THE major selling points for the internet is the option of anonymity, is that true for your other examples? I'd add what exactly is the point in this context? For alcohol sales or tobacco sales you can see the rationale in public health, clearly stated data about reducing accidental deaths, road accidents, and violence.

Where is the equivalent here?

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In the U.S, to get into an R-rated movie without a parent you need to show ID to prove that you are 17.

But you can watch videos of people being beheaded in subreddits by simply signing in.

My point is that if a society decides that certain content should be age restricted -- it being on the internet shouldn't make the difference.

I largely think that age restriction laws are ridiculous. BUT, I don't think the internet is some special haven, exempt from all of society's standards/laws enforced offline.

your first statement is not correct. at theaters in the US, ID is only required if the moviegoer appears under 17. there is no blanket ID check nor recorded storage of those IDs.

also worth noting that in most places in the US, it’s not a legal requirement to card, but a industry agreement with the MPAA (self regulation)

Watching a movie in a theater is... just casual entertainment. The internet is a "place" where billions of people communicate, do business, are entertained, and share confidential information.

I don't think that's a very good comparison, even setting aside the points made in other replies to you.

that's also the selling point of the illegal underground gambling strip club speak easy i often go to.

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