I understand where you’re coming from but the cat is already out of the bag. On an individual level, I’m with you. We should be limiting internet access and social media use for kids under 12 IMO. On a wide scale however, best thing we can do is be a good influence and provide a space we ourselves would like to be in so kids have an idea of what somewhere more functional (not perfect) looks like. We should be maintaining rules of respect, spam, and relevancy as best we can and we should call out uncritical takes or bad behaviors or deception. People will call collective behavior like this “the reddit hive mind” but really I’ve never struggled to find a dissenting opinion in most large threads. I think we just naturally create a baseline for what we consider acceptable and then people adhere to it because it makes sense. If there is a difference of opinion, SOMEONE will address it and if that difference is worth considering, we get to see those conversations and how many people agree or disagree. Yes, sometimes the hive mind has terrible takes. Sometimes you read the most terrible things from people with incredibly warped views. And if you’re a kid, you’re likely to be sucked into at least one toxic community based on a personal insecurity you have (like r/blackpill) but I cannot think of a better solution than providing popular, competing spaces critical of each other where people give actual reasons for their criticism.
I understand where you’re coming from but the cat is already out of the bag. On an individual level, I’m with you. We should be limiting internet access and social media use for kids under 12 IMO. On a wide scale however, best thing we can do is be a good influence and provide a space we ourselves would like to be in so kids have an idea of what somewhere more functional (not perfect) looks like. We should be maintaining rules of respect, spam, and relevancy as best we can and we should call out uncritical takes or bad behaviors or deception. People will call collective behavior like this “the reddit hive mind” but really I’ve never struggled to find a dissenting opinion in most large threads. I think we just naturally create a baseline for what we consider acceptable and then people adhere to it because it makes sense. If there is a difference of opinion, SOMEONE will address it and if that difference is worth considering, we get to see those conversations and how many people agree or disagree. Yes, sometimes the hive mind has terrible takes. Sometimes you read the most terrible things from people with incredibly warped views. And if you’re a kid, you’re likely to be sucked into at least one toxic community based on a personal insecurity you have (like r/blackpill) but I cannot think of a better solution than providing popular, competing spaces critical of each other where people give actual reasons for their criticism.