This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
I see a lot of well-meaning support for this. I can't help but think there has to be a way to implement these kinds of controls without taking power away from the user.
Like the Fediverse implementing better mod tools rather than expecting Twitter to effectively moderate the internet.
Yeah but CCP wouldn't like this because it faces uncomfortable truths like a controlling dictatorship is the only reason for the firewall.
But don't worry, folks in the free world, this won't apply to you! Douyin (Tiktok in China) may restrict what kids see, but Tiktok abroad will still serve up to your tween daughter videos that tell her if she isn't pretty enough, she might as well kill herself.
Parents can invoke minors mode with a single click and set usage time limits. Devices set to minors mode will even remind users to take breaks, and collect stats so parents can make sure their offspring are surfing the web in an age-appropriate and socialist fashion.
This sounds awesome. This isn't the weird shit like some states in the US have for determining if you can log into porn, or South Koreas weird government-login-page-in-everything scheme, it's part of the parent's family plan for their kid they can turn on/off.
I realize there's worrying undertones (that already exist on the Chinese internet regardless) but the actual feature as-is seems like the ideal for this sort of thing.
Looking up more information about this I found a much less sensationalized analysis on this from the UofC:
I could have sworn that a few months ago it was on the news that the government restricted all online stuff like video games, to only a few hours a week or something for minors?
They can't log on after 8pm or something like that?
I think that was the draft proposal for this.
But who is collecting the stats?
Here are my issues with this:
There are internet filters you can buy already that the user controls. Why not just use that?
there are internet filters you can buy
Seems like that's exactly what this is, it's a mode that you turn on on the phone and it uses a government supplied list of vetted websites for the kid to visit.
Interestingly the way this feature set reads out is exactly the same way that Nintendo's parental controls work.
I realize that this being the Chinese government, them keeping usage stats has connotations that go beyond the data itself... But in a country with a more liberal government I'd rather have them keep records of my kids' internet usage than a private company. The idea being that you can pass protections around that data. (Not that that seems to be stopping the current US government so maybe that's a pipe dream).
Ideal is, of course, completely on your own hardware (the device or your server at home), but between this and a system where Apple/Google/Nintendo does all this instead I'd prefer the government method.
government supplied list
Does the government know which sites users attempted to access? Or is it strictly a static list with everything handled on the device?
But in a country with a more liberal government I’d rather have them keep records of my kids’ internet usage than a private company.
I'd rather neither. Why does the supplier need usage stats? Just provide a list and keep it at that, with an option to request a site be allowed through (that obviously would go to the supplier).
But maybe that's me in the US speaking. I don't trust my government with that information, and I also don't trust countries I visit to have that info either.
between this and a system where Apple/Google/Nintendo does all this instead I’d prefer the government method.
I don't really have a preference since I reject both as unacceptable. I prefer my approach: no filters, and I only provide access to devices if I trust my kids to follow the rules, and if I catch them breaking the rules, they lose access to the device.
I suspect you don't have kids? Most schools require a laptop (usually Chromebooks). What do you do then other than parental controls?
US can't even pass a federal data privacy law
They probably saw the Russian culture war brain rot play out with American youth and decided to have a circuit breaker.
Behind the Bastards has an episode about how YouTube went right wing to create site engagement and an anger economy, and an episode about Facebook doing thr same for boomers.
Some governments are looking into limiting those influences.
EDIT: oh yeah, China might also be protecting children from hearing about the periodic stabbing attacks that happen at schools over there. Forgot about those.
The rest of the world needs to learn from the US's failure like this ASAP. I think Europe might already be doomed judging by the way the UK and Germany are going, but others might be able to swerve to avoid a fascist future with the right moves.
It's not only the US that got hit by that russian campaign to mess with youths and even younger children. Europe for its fair share as well. It also plays into their "oh look at the degenerate west" playbook perfectly.
They're responsible for so much damage that I have no idea how it'll end. Not even children with tech savvy parents are immune, as I can attest to myself.
It's important as fuck to have discussions about bad content to children ass soon as they get any kind of screen available to them, and it should never ever be a babysitter unless it's under controlled circumstances.
It's also a good idea to start teaching your children how any tech they use works and what happens under the hood if they're interested. They're certainly less likely to get influenced by any bad actors if they know what's what.
They already have the GFW and state control of the media.
Fuck this
Yeah seriously, China making a smart decision for once? What the fuck? Broken clocks, I suppose.
This needs to be a worldwide thing. We're raising a generation of idiots because of engagement algorithms. Something needs to be done about it, or we're going to be in serious trouble once Gen Alpha gets old enough to vote.
You don't want kids to research, let's say controversial, content of CCP wrongs and critism of policies ofc. Totally a smart move
This isn't for the kid's benefit you know
Yeah but it's a great idea if executed correctly by a developed country. (i.e. not China)
I hear they are very good at execution too!
The point is censorship of viewpoints
And my point is that certain viewpoints are already being censored on the major platforms.
Say something anti-MAGA on YouTube the next time you get a chance, then load the page in an incognito window. You'll notice that your comment is nowhere to be found. Check your comment history, and you'll see a "some activity might not be visible yet" message at the top. Yet anything praising Trump gets to stay.
Google/Meta/etc.are dangerous entities that are poisoning kids' minds with conservative propaganda, and no one seems to notice or care. Something needs to be done.
These laws are about censoring LGBT stuff, you think the MAGAs would do anything about MAGA propaganda?
I don't mean this as an insult, but do you have autism?
Again, I'm not talking about copying exactly what China is doing; simply that it would be a good idea if implemented properly.
Yes, and I don't support censorship even if it's aimed at kids (they always start with the kids first)
And again, the major platforms already are engaging in censorship. I'm merely suggesting that we do something about it.
I hope you realize that talking to you is fatiguing. For your sake I hope you're not this annoying to have a conversation with in person.
