[benabbott]

I fully support this. In fact, make it 18. I see it like a new type of drug. Future generations will be horrified that we permitted children to connect their brains to attention-optimization algorithms running on supercomputers.

Children can not consent. They can't sign contracts. They don't understand the ramifications of what algorithmically delivered content does to you.

[mezzie2]

I have one primary worry about this. Do you spend much time on college campuses or around military bases? If so, you know that credit card companies and shady car dealerships loooove the newly 18 year old adults.

I think that introducing people to social media right when they'll be on the hook for all their bad decisions during the exploratory period is going to result in a lot of 18-20 year olds in a ton of debt + them being even more hooked on social media than kids are now because they'll also be away from adult supervision. Imagine the sports betting ads for the newly 18. The influencers puffing up the newly 18 about how adult and mature they are and all adults buy product X, etc. They'll have no way of knowing what's normal to share and will probably overshare, but unlike minors, they'll be legally able to torpedo the rest of their lives. Etc.

Making it 18 puts a target on their back for the ad and social media companies: Fresh meat that aren't entitled to any protection. That seems like a bad combination to me.

[NeutralCrane]

I mean if 13 year olds had cash to spend and were able to buy cars and open credit cards, they’d target them too. It’s not because they aren’t inoculated, it’s because they are susceptible to the negative consequences at that age regardless.

[cathalc]

On that point, I don't think most adults understand the ramifications either!

[dataflow]

18 seems terrible. You're making a fraction of the kids miss out on their friends' lives just before they're about to go their separate ways and potentially never see each other again. At least give them a bit of time to naturally settle into the new social environment before they permanently part ways?

[hooverd]

They can build those relationships without being hooked into the slop machine.

[nosbo]

Not disagreeing with you. But we (those of us old enough to remember) still kept in touch with our friends that moved away to different unis before social media existed.

[OptionOfT]

I disagree.

If the relationship is valuable to you, it requires maintaining. Following each other on social media isn't the same.

Not to mention social media is filled with someone's best moments which give you a bad view on how you're doing against your peers.

Not to that half of the posts on social media are ads, which aren't good for you at any age.

[illiac786]

> Children can not consent. They can't sign contracts. They don't understand the ramifications of what algorithmically delivered content does to you.

I’d argue, neither do the majority of adults.

I’m still for this ban because a young brain is so much more malleable and hence much more at risk.