Oz to ban under 16's from social media

[ozsouth]

Social Media is to be banned for under 16's in Australia from January 2026.
Sites which allow them to register will incur large fines.
Has been described worldwide as the strongest action to date.
This is due to a few suicides a year as a result of online bullying.
Other countries, especially UK, are considering similar action.
What does this mean for Puppy?
Either age verification or a complete ban of all Australians?

[Chelsea80]

@ozsouth

Interesting post and could raise an interesting discussion topic.

This is an AI generated resposnse.

Is Puppy Linux Discussion Forum classed as a social media platform

Answer

The Puppy Linux Discussion Forum is primarily a community platform designed for users of Puppy Linux to share information, ask questions, and discuss various topics related to the operating system. While it facilitates social interaction among its members, it is not classified as a traditional social media platform like Facebook or Twitter.

Characteristics of the Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Community Focus:
The forum serves as a hub for Puppy Linux users to connect, share experiences, and provide support to each other. It includes sections for beginners, troubleshooting, software discussions, and more.

Content Type:
Unlike social media platforms that focus on broad social interactions and content sharing (like photos or status updates), the Puppy Linux Discussion Forum is centered around technical discussions, user support, and software development related to the Puppy Linux distributions.

User Interaction:
Users can post questions, share solutions, and engage in discussions specific to Puppy Linux. This interaction is more specialized compared to general social media platforms that cater to a wide range of topics and personal interactions.

Conclusion:
In summary, while the Puppy Linux Discussion Forum does facilitate social interaction among its users, it functions more as a specialized community forum rather than a conventional social media platform. Its primary purpose is to support users of Puppy Linux rather than serve as a general social networking site.

Plus, our Moderators are on the ball with 'not wanted' content.

What do others think ?

[mikewalsh]

Whilst I fully agree with the sentiments leading to the stated proposal, I don't think our Aussie contingent have anything to worry about. Puppy is NOT a social media platform, so I fail to see the relevance. As far as I'm concerned, they always have been, and will always continue to be most welcome here. I'm quite certain Erik will tell you the same.

Whatcha gonna do.....ban the very founder of Puppy himself?

I DON'T think so.... What a daft idea.

Mike.

[williwaw]

I DON'T think so.... What a daft idea. :roll:

Mike. :D

A little OT, but does the government in England drive around in vans with TV detectors so that they can monitor who watches the government TV station?

[mikewalsh]

I DON'T think so.... What a daft idea.

Mike.

A little OT, but does the government in England drive around in vans with TV detectors so that they can monitor who watches the government TV station?

Uh-uh. DON'T even go there. I fail to see the point in your attempting to head the thread off down yet another rabbit-hole.....something you're rather good at.

Please don't do so. It doesn't contribute to the discussion at all.....and I for one refuse to be drawn in this manner. End of.

Mike.

[bigpup]

I think the Puppy forum is safe and does not fall under the definition of Social Media.

OAIC - Australian Government - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

What is Social Media
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-pr ... cial-media

Social media refers to any online social network. An online social network is a website or app that allows a user to create and share content online, for example, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
This often involves sharing personal information in comments and messages, and photos and videos.

Only section of the forum that could even come close to this definition is maybe some post in the Truly off-topic conversations section.

This does raise the point of why: this forum does not allow personal comments about someone.

Those type of comments are most likely what is causing this issue, with people using Social Media.

On this forum, the only useful personal information, is what you know about using Puppy Linux, Linux in general, what your computer is, how well you can understand the information someone provides.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How are they going to enforce this?

Not let a web site show if accessed from Australia?

Oh, the old click here, if you are 16 or older, to continue!

No teenager would ever click here, if they are not 16 or older

[williwaw]

How are they going to enforce this?

Without going down the TV licencing rabbit hole as Mike requests, the most pratical way to enforce the proposed social media ban for underage users in Oz is to prohibit social media in Oz, unless expressly allowed. Ie. a licencing scheme. Do you think the regulators are unaware of the addictive nature of social media or unwilling to monetize it as most all other players do?
Voluntary compliance to addional administrative regulations contained in the licence agreements might also serve to limit either the service providers or the service consumers.

There is a good side to be considered also. Some people just might find better things to do! As Voltaire mentioned...

"Candide, as he was returning home, made profound reflections on the Turk’s discourse. “This good old man,” said he to Pangloss and Martin, “appears to me to have chosen for himself a lot much preferable to that of the six kings with whom we had the honor to sup.” … “Neither need you tell me,” said Candide, “that we must take care of our garden.” “You are in the right,” said Pangloss; “for when man was put into the garden of Eden, it was with an intent to dress it: and this proves that man was not born to be idle.” “Work then without disputing,” said Martin; “it is the only way to render life supportable.”

[ozsouth]

Interestingly, if you apply for a Google account theses days, they wany proof of ID (& age) - I had to send a passport copy last year, as I wanted a second account just for my chromebooks. Maybe social media platforms will have to do that in Oz.

[Jasper]

A little OT, but does the government in England drive around in vans with TV detectors so that they can monitor who watches the government TV station?

Under the Communications Act 2003, a television licence (‘TV licence’) is required to install or use a television receiver.

Everyone in the UK, and the Crown Dependencies, who watches or records television from any provider as it is broadcasted, and/or who watches content on BBC iPlayer, whether it is on television sets, computers or other devices, is required to be appropriately licenced.

Currently, a person who installs uses a television receiver or watches content on BBC iPlayer without a TV licence is guilty of a criminal offence. This is known as TV licence evasion.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... ce-evasion

Detection is carried out by various methods as media is brodcast not only by transmitters ie digital and cable.

There are no Government television TV stations in the UK.

[Jasper]

What do others think ?

The use of AI generated responses continually shared here is superfluous.

Text responses in American English are not always clearly understood.

[Jasper]

Whatcha gonna do.....ban the very founder of Puppy himself?

Are they under 16?

[williwaw]

There are no Government television TV stations in the UK.

Thanks for the links, Jasper, I wasnt sure if they still did that. Guess I was mistaken about the BBC, I was under the impression it was subsidized with taxpayer money.

[Jasper]

The BBC is partially funded by tax-payers.

It remains independent contrary to the beliefs held by some.

[Chelsea80]

@Jasper

@Jasper said:

The use of AI generated responses continually shared here is superfluous.

@rockedge said in another post:

I think more people are finding it through ChatGPT and other AI model engines. This forum is scraped hourly by AI bots pulling information to build up the language models. The AI searches are creating more and more detailed responses to Puppy Linux, DebianDog and Kennel Linux queries and directing traffic to this forum and to the repos and archives containing the stuff.

BTW have you fixed your uploaded images not showing yet?