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DN Debate: The Dark Web Isn't the Biggest Threat to Our Children – We Adults Are
🇸🇪 Sweden /Culture & Society

DN Debate: The Dark Web Isn't the Biggest Threat to Our Children – We Adults Are

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • An opinion piece argues that the dark web is not the primary threat to children online; adults and the platforms they use are the real danger.
  • The author criticizes age limits on social media as an admission of failure to regulate tech companies, but insists action is necessary.
  • The piece advocates for applying stricter regulations to the tech sector, similar to those in the pharmaceutical or food industries, to protect young users.

The debate surrounding age limits on social media often gets polarized, with critics claiming such measures infringe on children's freedom of expression and push them toward darker online spaces. However, the author contends that inaction is no longer a viable option, framing age restrictions as a necessary norm to safeguard future generations.

Age limits on social media are fundamentally an acknowledgment that we have failed to regulate tech companies.

— Essi AlhoIntroducing the argument that current approaches to social media regulation are insufficient.

This perspective is rooted in the author's extensive experience with youth online rights. Over time, they have witnessed a significant escalation in online vulnerability among young people. The issues have evolved from isolated incidents to systemic problems, encompassing sexual abuse, gang recruitment, algorithm-driven mental health crises, and political manipulation.

The article supports a proposed law that defines age limits based on platform functionality rather than specific brands. This approach is deemed sensible, as it aligns with the principle that children should not have access to commercial, algorithm-driven services designed to maximize engagement at the expense of well-being.

The dark web is not the biggest threat to our children – it is we adults.

— Essi AlhoChallenging the common perception of online threats to minors.

With the issue now high on the political agenda, the author urges support for legislative action, viewing it as a crucial step in addressing a major public health challenge. While acknowledging the role of critical scrutiny, the piece warns against reflexive skepticism toward political will, especially when it stems from a genuine understanding of the harm children face online. The author draws an analogy to the stringent regulations in the pharmaceutical and food industries, arguing that safety and protection must be paramount in the tech sector as well.

We demand that the food we eat is safe and that medicines are tested. Protection and safety must not be an afterthought.

— Essi AlhoAdvocating for stronger safety standards in the tech industry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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