There are a lot of threads about this depressing article:
It supports the idea of a social media ban for under-16s.
I also don't want to see children exposed to offensive, dehumanizing "content", but I am wondering why a ban is the cure. The examples the writer cites are all examples of simply unacceptable speech. If the social media platforms had effective moderation, this would not be a problem. If every instance of misogyny and other hate speech was taken down, and abusers got reliably suspended and banned, the experience of girls and minorities on these platforms would be infinitely better. The people doing the hate might be pushed to reconsider their behavior.
Instead we will take away internet freedom from young people and force identity verification on everyone, undermine VPNs and so on. Why? Because that will be easier and cheaper for the tech giants.
Don't ban girls from social media. Ban the abusers.
