Spiderman Memes and a Trip to Mars
While Politicians & CEOs Duke it Out, the Keys are in Your Hands
Congressional approval ratings are abysmal. Times like these make me think that overwhelming bipartisan support for a bill is less likely to happen than a congressional hearing where politicians are grilled by citizens (equipped with poster-board printouts on tripod stands and sassy rhetorical questions about Mr. So and So's job performance.) I'd be a lousy odds-maker, because the US Senate passed the Kid's Online Safety and Privacy Act (S.2073) on July 30th with a 91-3 vote.
The bill is a response to a groundswell of data, books, and advisories about social media's impact on youth. It's unlikely to get through the House anytime soon, if at all, but it's being hailed as a shining star in the vast void of gridlock. In short, it says platforms have a "duty of care" for minors as it relates to safety, privacy, sexual exploitation, bullying, algorithms and more.
A number of states have also recently passed age verification bills, though not without resistance, as online platforms and device makers battle over implementation and responsibility... pointing fingers at each other like a Spiderman meme. Technology trends shift so quickly that legislative bodies can't keep up, and tech companies tend to value profit over people.
We are caught in the double whammy of driving a vehicle that has few limits and safety features on roads without any agreed upon rules or regulation. The good news? The keys of personal and parental responsibility are in your hands.
That's what this publication and upcoming online course are all about... less about prescribing remedies for technological dysfunction and more about helping peel back the curtains so YOU can make informed decisions about how to navigate the online world.
We're open to feedback on what you find valuable on these pages. Would analysis on bills like this be something worth reading?
When you think of social media, does Venmo come to mind? If not, you might want to consider adding it to your roster. Venmo transactions are public by default and it's like scrolling through a Facebook feed of spending habits. While no one knows the exact dollar amount or card information, the world can see you paid George for the Fantasy Football pool and Aliyah for watching your kids. Sure, it makes for good fun when you put "trips to Mars" in the comments, but know that public means worldwide internet public... it's not limited to your contacts.