Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are running ads and events saying their services are safe for children
As Australia’s teen social media ban looms, here’s how the platforms are lobbying for an exemption
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Their algorithms are not safe for children. Self-reinforcing rabbit holes that easily drift to topics that can cause developing personalities to believe that the torrent of AI slop, drama-for-clicks, general propaganda (see: the ads mentioned), and blatant manipulation of our monkey-brain base instincts is what the world is actually about.
Hell, there's a good case to be made that they're not safe for adults too.
Not even just a "good case." It's scientifically proven. These algorithms tap into the same neural pathways that cause people to have gambling and drug abuse addiction issues.
Yes, the addictive qualities of these platforms is the major problem that legislation should be focused on. It universally affects every user, and is particularly harmful for children and young people whose brains are still developing. These drugs are free and can be accessed at any time, anywhere. I feel like I say this in every thread but it is just insane to me that the biggest harm is the one that barely seems to get a mention. The Conversation published one of their Yes/No style articles today in which they ask a panel of "experts" to argue Yes or No to a specific question, in this case whether YouTube should be included in the ban, and only one of the five commented on the intentionally addictive and manipulative design of social media.