Discussion · bonfire.cafe

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz · 2 weeks ago

This week's MediaWatch dived into the online safety debate. Starting about 23 minutes in, after a story about news coverage of Silver Ferns coaching drama, and a roundup of the midweek edition;

https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/mediawatch?share=33fb446b-4f18-4f7d-8327-ddd5cf4bf4ab

It's a mixed bag. As with so much commentary on this, our genuine concerns about civil liberties and human rights kind of get lumped in with the self-serving opinions of reputation launderers for DataFarms (including ACT MPs).

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#podcasts #RNZ #MediaWatch #OnlineSafety

Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

I'm continually frustrated by the lack of nuance. It's illegal to stab someone with a knife, and so it should be. But do we hold anyone who sells kitchen knives responsible for potential stabbings? Of course not.

By all means, make it illegal to use online tools to distribute nonconsensual sexual imagery. That's deeply abusive behaviour that can ruin lives. But making it illegal to offer tools people might use for private purposes, or for consensual distribution? That's overreach.

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Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

Well into the piece, after a load of discussion about age verification, there was a brief acknowledgement that imposing it on teens imposes it on everyone. But no serious discussion of the privacy implications of forcing people to give proof of identity to any online service we might use. Or the way that elevates the risk of identity theft.

Also no acknowledgement that some people learn how to navigate the net responsibly and safely by 14, while others still can't in their 70s or 80s.

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Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

No discussion either about the risks of empowering the DataFarming cartel responsible for creating the majority of online harm, by passing broad brush regulation only they can afford to comply with. A classic example of regulatory capture.

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Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

About the only sensible comments I heard were about harmonising NZ digital regulation with what's happening in larger jurisdictions, like the EU. But no acknowledgement of the need to learn from the missteps and failures, particularly in Oz.

For example, I partially agree with Paddy Gower's call for an independent commissioner, but not like the Online Safety Commissioner in Oz. What we need is one tasked with researching and proposing policy and best practice for digital tech in general.

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Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

As usual, Gordon hits the nail right on the head;

"... talk of creating a viable under 16 barrier to social media looks more like an abject version of performative politics. It seems to be all about the gesture, in that it offers a way for politicians to claim they care about the kids, even though their economic and welfare policies are often saying the exact opposite."

#GordonCampbell, 2025

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm

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https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm

Strypey

@strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz replied · 2 weeks ago

"If we truly do care about the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people, the decision to means test every 18 and 19 year old young receiving state assistance (in every household earning $65,000 or over) is a bizarre way of showing it."

#GordonCampbell, 2025

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm

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https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2510/S00011/on-the-social-media-ban-for-young-kids.htm

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