By now I think everyone realizes this has nothing at all to do with protecting children, it’s about surveillance.

These “public authorities” are not going to regulate algorithms, and impose stricter controls, as those do nothing to achieve their true goals.

We really need to stop promoting the charade by playing along that they are honest actors. They are lying about their goals, we need to call them out on the lies.

Children and young people want spaces for social interaction without adult supervision. They will in any case find other places to interact, and companies will develop new services that do not formally fall under the category of “social media”. The alternatives are not necessarily better.

I mean, I’ve made the “there are fundamental enforceability issues” point myself, but I suppose that for some politicians, if there’s enough public demand for censorship, it’s easier to just engage in whatever theater is required to show that they’re being responsive to public concerns.