> these big companies need to self police
It's not possible to prevent a person (of any age) from reaching a specific website if they are determined enough. Full stop.
It's not possible to prevent a person (of any age) from reaching a specific website if they are determined enough. Full stop.
right, and that reveals the absurdity of this "age gate", doesn't it? because I am sure giving every UK national their very own unicorn would also poll very well but that doesn't mean that's what a functional democracy should be prioritizing just because a majority of the public supports because doing so is not possible
lets give everyone an incentive to report companies that allow or encourage children to use these websites. the children, the parents, bystanders, the employees and contractors of these websites, everyone should get paid from the fines these social media companies would need to pay out for every infraction. I think GBP 10k per incidence is actually pretty cheap considering the alternative is life in prison for the CEO and the board starting with cash incentives all the way to prison terms for the CEO and the board
Start from these two:
- https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/12/10-not-so-hidden-dange...
- https://mullvad.net/en/and-then/uk
And remember that once these systems are introduced it will be very hard to get rid of them, and very easy to get them expanded to gate (identify users of) the more "radical" content, like environmental protests, opposing the genocide, perhaps opposing the monarchy...
If the establishment allows the companies, unpunished, to knowingly push teens into ED or suicide and at the same time says they "do something", you really shouldn't take it at the face value.
If you still honestly believe the reason for this is "protecting the children" (remember the next steps, mandatory, uninstallable surveillance on phones and IDing of all VPN users are in motion already), you can't be saved :(