Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

It's been discussed previously as to why leaving it to parental responsibility doesn't work.

Critics agree with your point about making social media companies responsible for safety instead of this ban. The trouble with this is that they tend to be located abroard and put profits before anything else & Ofcom would face the same issues when trying to enforce our laws onto them as they have found when trying to enforce over 18 legislation for porn sites thus far, if they don't comply.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

You don’t get it, Richard. Kids nowadays are familiar with VPNs and know how to circumvent the system.

What you have been advocating all this time will penalise adults, not kids.

A better solution than this is required.

Incidentally, on your point about internet security, my eldest daughter used to monitor her children’s use of the internet, and if they were sneakily trying to use it outside of the approved times, she would switch off the broadband.

It’s not rocket science.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

What's going to happen in the next stage of this fiasco, you know, when 80% of the UK internet traffic is going through VPN's?

:rofl:

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

They'll call it a success and they'll say everything is working to plan.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

That would be a disaster for online safety and children’s private information - everything is being sent through some dodgy VPN provider, based, God knows where, offering a ‘free’ service - free, because?

See ‘Law of Unintended Consequences’!

But ‘peanut’ is right, the politicians will point to stats showing that very few under-16s are connecting to social media from UK-based IP addresses*; and laud it as a great success.

*Because they are all connecting from, apparently, somewhere in Azerbaijan!

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

I always remember PIA VPN when VPNs are discussed because they used "always use protection" as their slogan. Imagine ID requirements to buy condoms, contraception fall and birth giving on the rise. Proper labour that. Those college courses for young mothers were a hit during labours last tenure.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

Actually, I’m not 100% sure that I understand what Richard’s position on this really is.

On the face of it, it does look as if he is in favour of increased controls irrespective of the consequences to everyone else - but then he posts that a similar scheme in Australia has resulted in some 70% of under-16s have managed to trivially bypass the requirements. Which is true and would undermine any argument he might have in favour.

So it’s all very confusing - so maybe, just to clarify things, would you, Richard, be prepared to state, unequivocally, your stance on this? Just so we all know where we all stand and can argue our cases rationally.

I’ll start; I’m all in favour of doing what is ‘reasonable’ to protect children from the murkier side of the internet - but this simply will not work. Just as in Australia, the majority of children who actively want to use social media will, absolutely will, find a way around it. Yes some will be deterred, and stop using it. But the cost, the cost to everyone else who needs to somehow prove their age?

Yes I know the argument ‘well if it saves just one child then.....’

The vast, vast majority of child abuse incidents (sexual or otherwise) take place in their own home or the home of a relative. Should it be mandated that permanently-on CCTV cameras be fitted into every room (yes including the bathroom) in every house in the UK, recording 24/7?

After all, if it saves one child then.......

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

Starmer has done another u turn with this . Looking for support from his MPs. Not sure I am happy about having to prove am 76.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

My view is that any right thinking person should want to protect the vulnerable from harm by predators, scammers, bullies etc, be they be vulnerable due to age, disability, mental illness/disability etc.

Generally speaking I have a neutral stance on the attempts being made and have no axe to grind, so don't think it's helpful to try and cause political mischief, so it's all up for discussion, as long as transparency is maintained at all times.

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

i suppose kids will just have to go back to joining gangs and making everyone's life a living hell now they won't have anything to do ,bit of grand theft auto, shoplifting, all the fun things that kids in bedrooms don't do

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

What; you claim to be 76, but your profile on CF clearly states that you are 75?

Citizen, we need you to come down to the station while we verify your actual status.

You see where this is headed?

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

I was thinking I could claim to be 21 (again) but then got worried they'd stop my pension :erm:

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

Perhaps he'll be 76 by the time this comes into effect ... ;)

Re: Online Safety Bill Etc
 

:D. :D. :D