Do Not Turn Child Protection into Internet Access Control (news.dyne.org)

Article summary

The article discusses how age verification is expanding beyond adult websites to social media, messaging, and other online services, potentially turning the internet into a permissioned access network. This shift raises concerns about privacy, control, and the effectiveness of such measures in protecting children. The author argues that content moderation and guardianship are distinct issues, and that age verification laws may not be the best solution. Instead, the focus should be on moderating content close to the endpoint and keeping guardianship local.

Main themes

• age verification
• online control
• child protection
• trans rights
• LGBT+ issues
• surveillance and privacy

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that age verification is not about protecting children, but about control and surveillance.
• Others argue that the risk of trans ideology influencing children is real and should be addressed through age verification.
• There is disagreement on whether gender dysphoria and transgender identity are medical issues or ideological constructs.
• Some argue that suppressing trans content is a form of LGBT+ suppression, while others see it as a necessary measure to protect children.
• A few commenters suggest that the focus should be on educating children about different identities and perspectives, rather than restricting access to information.
• Others believe that age verification is a slippery slope that could lead to further restrictions on online content and surveillance.
• Some commenters think that the detransition community's experiences should be taken into account when discussing trans issues, while others argue that this perspective is not representative of the larger trans community.