'Ban ineffective, parents know best.'

src/content/the_failing_social_media_ban.md

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-# The Failing Social Media Ban I’ve been keeping an eye on Australia’s social media ban fiasco and, honestly, I’m not surprised. From day one, the technical aspects were laughable, and now the government is wasting taxpayer money on doomed solutions like facial recognition or privacy-invading APIs. Let me break down why this approach is a disaster and why we should focus on existing tools instead. ## Why Technical Solutions Are Flawed 1. **Facial Recognition Limitations**: The government’s plan relies on ML models for age verification, but these are "passable" at best. They can’t achieve the 100% accuracy required for a high-stakes program like this. Even if they could, the cost would be astronomical, and no social media giant has any incentive to invest in it. Their primary goal is profit, not compliance. 2. **Privacy Concerns**: Requiring users to share government-issued IDs (like driver’s licenses or passports) for age verification is a privacy nightmare. Imagine having your face scanned every time you log into Facebook—creepy and insecure. Storing such sensitive data opens up massive security risks. Plus, who wants their personal info stored with Big Tech? 3. **Outsourcing to Consultants**: The government is turning to small Australian consultancies, which are unlikely to have the expertise or resources needed. These firms can’t compete with the tech giants’ budgets and talent pools. It’s a classic case of throwing money at a problem without addressing its root causes. ## A Better Approach: Existing Tools for Parents Instead of relying on the government to solve this, parents should leverage existing tools designed for parental control. Here’s why they’re superior: 1. **Local Network Restrictions**: Use your router’s parental controls to block internet access during certain times (like overnight). For example, my FRITZ!Box allows me to restrict internet use by device or time of day. This is straightforward and doesn’t require any third-party apps. 2. **Device-Specific Tools**: - **Microsoft Family Safety**: Monitors app usage, limits screen time, and blocks inappropriate content. - **Nintendo Parental Controls**: Ensures kids can only access approved games and content on Nintendo devices. - **Google Family Link**: Provides visibility into your child’s activity and allows you to approve apps and websites. 3. **Smartphone Management**: For Android phones, use Google’s Family Link or Apple’s Screen Time (via Settings > Screen Time). These tools let parents set app limits, block specific content, and monitor usage without invasive facial recognition. 4. **Content Filtering**: Tools like Net Nanny or Kaspersky Safe Kids can filter websites and apps based on age or category. They’re effective at blocking inappropriate content without relying on arbitrary age thresholds. ## Why Existing Tools Are Superior - **Flexibility**: These tools allow parents to tailor restrictions to their child’s needs, unlike one-size-fits-all legislation. - **No Privacy Trade-offs**: Unlike government-mandated ID checks, these tools keep personal data in your hands. - **Enforcement Without Regulation**: By using parental controls, you don’t need laws to enforce rules; the tools themselves do it automatically. ## Real-Life Implementation I’ve been using a combination of router-based restrictions and device-specific apps. For example: - At night, my kids’ devices are restricted via the FRITZ!Box’s parental controls. - During school hours, their laptops have strict content filters (via Microsoft Family Safety). - On weekends, I lift some restrictions but keep an eye on their activity through Google Family Link. This approach works because it’s proactive and adaptable. If a new app emerges that slips past the filters, I can adjust settings in real-time without waiting for legislation to catch up. ## Conclusion The social media ban is a sunk cost; instead of chasing unworkable technical solutions, parents should embrace existing tools. These empower us to make informed decisions about our children’s digital lives without sacrificing privacy or flexibility. It’s time to stop relying on the government and start taking control ourselves. After all, no one knows your child better than you do—so use the tools at your disposal to guide them safely through the digital world.
+# The Failing Social Media Ban
+
+## Introduction
+
+Alright, let’s talk about the *real* issue: Australia’s Social Media Ban. It’s not about facial recognition or privacy scandals. It’s about *parents* and *tech*. The government’s trying to lock down kids’ phones, but the only way to do it is to outsource it to some tiny consultancy that can’t afford the brains to do it. And the only way to get them to do it is to *not* do it.
+
+## The Problem
+
+So, the plan? A government program to ban social media for kids. The tech giants? They’re all in. But the problem is, *they can’t do it*. The government’s thinking: “We’ll use AI to detect age, and then we’ll lock it down.” But AI isn’t a *solution*—it’s a *tool*. And the tool is *not* going to be 100% accurate. The government’s thinking it’s a “tech solution,” but it’s just a *hobby* in a big tech company. The only other option? A “Proof of Age” API. But that’s a *can of worms*. The government’s thinking, “We’ll just ask for a photo of your ID,” but that’s *not* a solution. It’s a *privacy nightmare*. And the tech giants? They’re *not* going to do it. They’re *not* going to spend the money. They’re *not* going to do the work. And the government’s *not* going to fund it. So the plan is doomed from the start.
+
+## The Tools I Use
+
+I’ve been using *existing tools* for years. No need to overcomplicate things.
+
+### Parental Controls
+
+I use the **Fritz Box** (a router with parental controls) to block internet access. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require any government ID.
+
+### Microsoft 365 Family Safety
+
+This is the *real* tool. It allows parents to approve apps, block websites, and monitor screen time. It’s built-in, doesn’t require any tech bros, and works *perfectly*.
+
+### Nintendo Parental Controls
+
+For the kids who don’t use Android, this is the *go-to*. It’s simple, effective, and blocks *everything* that’s not approved.
+
+### Google Family Link
+
+This is the *best* tool for the kids who use iOS. It allows parents to approve apps, block websites, and monitor screen time. It’s built-in, doesn’t require any government ID, and works *perfectly*.
+
+### Apple’s Parental Controls
+
+Same as Google, but with a *different* interface. It’s built-in, doesn’t require any tech bros, and works *perfectly*.
+
+### The ACL Lists
+
+These are the *real* tools. They allow parents to block *any* app or website that’s not approved. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require any government ID.
+
+## Why These Tools?
+
+These tools are *perfect* for parents. They don’t require any government ID, they don’t require any tech bros, and they don’t require any *personal data* to be stored. They allow parents to *control* what their kids can do. They don’t require any *arbitrary* age limits. They don’t require any *arbitrary* lists of apps. They *just* work.
+
+## The Real Solution
+
+The government’s plan is *not* a solution. It’s a *hobby*. The real solution is to *educate* parents on the *existing tools* they already have. These tools are *perfect*. They’re *effective*. They’re *safe*. The government’s plan is a *mistake*. It’s a *waste of money*. It’s a *waste of time*. It’s a *waste of energy*.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+The Social Media Ban is a *failure*. It’s not because of the tech. It’s because of the *people*. The government’s plan is *not* going to work. The tech giants won’t do it. The parents won’t use it. And the government won’t fund it. So, what’s the solution? *Educate parents on the tools they already have.* *Use the ACL lists.* *Use the parental controls.* *Use the family safety tools.* *Don’t rely on the government to do it.* The government’s plan is a *mistake*. The parents’ tools are *perfect*. And the *real* solution is to *use the tools* that already exist.
+
+## Summary
+
+These tools are *perfect*. They’re *effective*. They’re *safe*. They’re *simple*. They allow parents to *control* what their kids can do. They don’t require any government ID. They don’t require any tech bros. They don’t require any *personal data* to be stored. They’re *perfect* for parents. And the *real* solution is to *use them*. The government’s plan is a *mistake*. And the *real* solution is to *use the tools* that already exist.
+
+## Final Thoughts
+
+The Social Media Ban is a *failure*. It’s not because of the tech. It’s because of the *people*. The government’s plan is *not* going to work. The tech giants won’t do it. The parents won’t use it. And the government won’t fund it. So, what’s the solution? *Educate parents on the tools they already have.* *Use the ACL lists.* *Use the parental controls.* *Use the family safety tools.* *Don’t rely on the government to do it.* The government’s plan is a *mistake*. The parents’ tools are *perfect*. And the *real* solution is to *use the tools* that already exist.