Online safety bill

Meanwhile, Farage says he would repeal the Act, but doesn't know what he'd do instead and the petition to repeal the Act is heading towards 400,000 signatures.

windmill1

The sky-rocketing of subscriptions for VPN's, thus determined to get around the new rules and avoid detection, suggests we have an overwhelming number of teens trying to pretend they're old enough to access porn and an equally overwhelming number of adult peadophiles intending to pretend they're teens.

What a world........

People downloading VPNs might be in for a shock, if privacy is their main concern. The free/cheap VPNs are known for being the some of the worst culprits for harvesting data and selling it to spam-operators.

That's why I don't know how the new laws will be enforced. I know the National Crime Agency has some foreign porn sites on its radar, but they can't do anything unless the operators try to come to the UK.

IMO it doesn't mean we shouldn't try. In the case of young people, I think there need to be additional approaches. They need to know that if, for example, they're depressed and search for help online, it's likely that algorithms will trigger some very negative sites. There need to be other sources of help. It's horrifying that some young people are spending 35 hours online - it's become a parallel world.

The sky-rocketing of subscriptions for VPN's, thus determined to get around the new rules and avoid detection, suggests we have an overwhelming number of teens trying to pretend they're old enough to access porn and an equally overwhelming number of adult peadophiles intending to pretend they're teens.

What a world........

Galaxy Now I'm really confused. I thought the idea of body positivity was the message that it's OK to have any body shape or appearance and to stop obsessing about looking like a catwalk model or a popstar. My personal view is that I wish people would stop concentrating on appearance and value themselves for the person they are - clever, funny, kind (or whatever), but that's probably beyond the scope of the online safety bill. I also wish the whole diet business were better regulated because it's worth billions of pounds and lots of it is absolute tosh and exploiting people who are vulnerable as a result of their body image (but, again, that's beyond the scope of the bill - it doesn't just influence children).

Something the bill should do is stop the algorithms targeting young people with concerns about their bodies.

Galaxy

If I was in charge I would ban porn without a moments hesitation, I think it is abusive and causes harm to women and men, let alone children. But I watching with concern with regards to this bill.

Agree, Galaxy. It’s appalling that children should be exposed to it.

I am conflicted. I think smart phones will be banned for children whatever my views, you can already see the conversations starting and is it Australia who have already done it? Don't quote me on that though!
With regard to the body positivity issue, if I wanted to I could access young overweight women, detailing all the unhealthy food they eat in a day ( they call themselves 'baddies' or 'fatties') in its own way as dangerous? as the 'this is how I get by on 50 calories a day' posts.
I am very interested in safeguarding children, but very wary of any attempts to control social media.

Galaxy

I will also say that I strongly believe smart phones will be banned for under 16s within a decade. I probably support that so my feelings are very conflicted on this.

Now I'm confused. Why do you support the banning of smartphones, but not age verification for computers?

Won't under 16s just access content on a computer?

Is it the wording of the bill which concerns you?

Thanks for the reply. Good points!

I don't know anything about the body positive movement (cue for some Googling).

I will also say that I strongly believe smart phones will be banned for under 16s within a decade. I probably support that so my feelings are very conflicted on this.

Similar to Mumsnet I would guess, if the reports in the Spectator are correct that it limited access or possibly removed testimonies from grooming gang victims then that raises my concern.
I would also say who gets to decide what is harmful. That is always the worrying point when it comes to control of speech or social media.
So harmful eating was one of your examples - I think a lot of the body positivity movement is quite harmful to young people, is that going to be controlled or will it just be the pro anorexia sites ( which I agree are deeply damaging), those decisions and who makes them worry me.

Galaxy

If I was in charge I would ban porn without a moments hesitation, I think it is abusive and causes harm to women and men, let alone children. But I watching with concern with regards to this bill.

Please could you explain your concerns Galaxy. I'm genuinely interested, as I realise there are probably unintended consequences.

If I was in charge I would ban porn without a moments hesitation, I think it is abusive and causes harm to women and men, let alone children. But I watching with concern with regards to this bill.

My mistake - it's under 18, not under 16.

PS. The Twitteratis are "blaming" Starmer, even though it was originally a Conservative bill.