cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49729865
However you look at it age verification is a major change to the internet and our freedoms.
We’ve seen all kinds of legislation pushed through in the past, often even against major resistance.
What makes me suspicious this time is the speed at which some of the slowest bureaucracies in the world are adopting it and how it’s happening in 20+ countries in parallel.
It’s like they’re all in a group chat, fast-tracking this before resistance can even form.
Is it? How do you think they’re going to enforce it?
It’s like with videos, DVDs, games. Or alcohol, tobacco. People say “oh that can’t be enforced” - but the age restriction does have an effect, a tremendous one even. The enforcement-argument is a pretty weak argument, people who use it usually have another (hidden) agenda.
I’m not saying “it can’t be enforced”. We’ve already seen that it can be. I’m saying the enforcement invades everyone’s privacy and will lead to the end on anonymity online.
That’s where we heading anyway, anonymity was a nice to have, but it didn’t work out well.
So fuck all the marginalized people, then? No more safe spaces, no more queer kids being able to figure out their identities.
I’m sure they will be able to use pseudonyms.
The internet we are heading toward is one where all accounts have to be verified with a driver’s license or other state-issued ID. That is the only possible way age limits could be enforced. Even if a website promises pseudonymity, one data leak stands in the way of everyone’s wallet names getting linked to their online accounts.
Further, age limits actually mean that no, queer kids won’t be able to use pseudonyms anywhere – they won’t be able to use any form of social media that might contradict their parents’ ideology.
I know a little about queer kids, as a business coach I’ve coached many queer organizations. There are nowadays so many offerings, a quick search through the internet will bring you into contact with professionals willing to help. And the support you get is certainly better than what you get on social media, even here on Lemmy some of the “advice” by “experts” is substandard, and on top of that, a queer kid may think they are talking to a 13 year old, when in reality it is a 65 yr old MAGA… enjoying his anonymity. (Grooming is actually one of the reasons for getting rid of anonymity).
Okay. Do you understand that not all places have professionals to talk to? Or that some kids don’t have the freedom to ask their parents “Hey can I go see this gender psychologist”? Or even that talking with peers can be better than talking with some nebulous “professional”?
Your last point is why kids need to be taught basic internet safety. We need less exposure of identities online, not more.
(Edit) I see you replied to me with a one-liner and then deleted it. No, I don’t have kids. Have you ever been a queer teenager with fundie parents? And do you teach your children not to give out personal information to strangers?
Don’t reply to me again if you’re going to ignore everything I said.