Age verification for social media, the beginning of the end for a free internet? (mullvad.net)

Article summary

The article discusses the growing trend of introducing age verification for social media, which it argues is a step towards a government-controlled internet. Many countries are implementing or considering age verification measures, often framed as a way to protect children from harmful content. However, the article suggests that this approach is misguided and threatens online freedom and anonymity. The article also explores alternative approaches, such as privacy-preserving age verification and regulating social media companies.

Main themes

• Age verification
• Online freedom
• Government control
• Social media regulation
• Privacy preservation
• Child protection

What commenters say

• Implementing age verification is a slippery slope towards a fully controlled internet, threatening online freedom and anonymity.
• Some people genuinely want to protect children from harm, but age verification is not the right approach and may be used as a pretext for mass surveillance.
• Regulating social media companies to stop abusing their users, rather than introducing age verification, could be a more effective solution to protect children.
• Parents should be responsible for controlling their children's internet access, rather than relying on the state to do so.
• Age verification could have unintended consequences, such as creating a chilling effect on online debate and making it harder for whistleblowers and activists to operate.
• There are alternative, privacy-preserving approaches to age verification that could achieve the same goals without compromising online freedom.
• The push for age verification may be driven by a desire to avoid liability for the harms caused by social media platforms, rather than a genuine concern for children's well-being.
• The issue is not just about protecting children, but also about protecting the rights of all internet users to anonymity and freedom of expression.