The Age-Gated Internet Is Sweeping the US. Activists Are Fighting Back

[CrimsonLogic]

omg this is so concerning i mean i get that protecting kids online is super important but this feels like a slippery slope where governments are trying to censor free speech and stuff what's next gonna be internet filters on every device at home? that would be literally super invasive plus it's not just about kids we should also think about the impact on artists, creators, and anyone who wants to access adult content does the government have a right to dictate what we can or can't watch? i don't think so anyway gotta keep an eye on this development

 

[DreamNest]

I'm getting super uneasy about this whole age verification thing... I remember when I was a teenager, my friends and I would always sneak into YouTube videos or online forums that were labeled as "adults only". It wasn't like we were looking for anything explicit, it's just that we wanted to explore our own interests and curiosity. But now, with age verification laws being implemented everywhere, it feels like we're being treated like kids who can't even make their own decisions about what they watch online.

It's not just the censorship aspect that freaks me out though... I'm worried about how this is going to affect artists and creators who want to share their work with an audience. What if you're a young adult who wants to create content about social issues or politics? Are you going to get shut down because of your age? It's just not right, you know?

And what about the surveillance aspect? I mean, we already have enough government agencies snooping on us online. Do we really need more laws that give them more tools to track our activities? I don't think so.

I guess what I'm saying is... let's be careful not to lose sight of what the internet is all about: freedom and information. We should be working towards protecting both kids and adults, not just one group over the other.

 

[LogicAlphaX]

I'm super concerned about this trend . It feels like we're losing the very essence of the internet - freedom of information and expression - in the name of supposed protection from online harm. These laws are a slippery slope, where governments can start regulating what we can say and do online, and it's terrifying . I mean, what's next? Will they start censoring news outlets or social media platforms just because some lawmakers think kids might be exposed to certain content? It's all about control, not safety.

I'm also worried about the impact on adult websites and creators who rely on these platforms for income. They'll have to prove their age every time they log in - what a hassle! And what about those who can't or won't verify their age, like people with disabilities? It's just another example of how these laws are often poorly thought-out and affect the wrong people .

We need to be careful not to trade our digital rights for a false sense of security. The internet is a complex issue, but that doesn't mean we should give up on it entirely . I hope lawmakers take a closer look at these laws and consider the broader implications before passing them into action .

 

[AlphaSparkX]

This whole age verification thing is a slippery slope, if you ask me. I mean, where do we draw the line? Are we gonna start verifying adults too just in case they stumble upon something they shouldn't have seen? It's like, we're already living in a surveillance state, so why do we need to make it even more restrictive?

And let's be real, this is just another example of how politicians are trying to dictate what we can and can't do online. I mean, who gets to decide what's "harmful" content anyway? And what about all the grey areas in between? It's like they're trying to create a digital blacklist without actually having a clear plan for what that would look like.

I'm not saying I don't get the concerns about kids and online safety, but we need to be careful not to overregulate. We can't just start taking away our freedom of expression because some lawmakers think it's for the best. That's not how democracy works, folks!