Summary
In an essay for the “Wirtschaftswoche,” Louise Perry, a columnist for “The Wall Street Journal,” warns about potential negative consequences of implementing legal restrictions on social media usage by minors under 16 years old. She argues that such measures could inadvertently lead to greater surveillance and censorship among adults, particularly in countries without strong protections against government overreach like the United States. Perry cites examples from Australia and Britain where laws have been used as a pretext for limiting free speech, including instances of individuals facing criminal penalties based on online comments they made. The columnist advocates for parental protection of children from harmful internet content but cautions against allowing governments to use such measures to stifle political dissent. She emphasizes the conflict between intended protections for minors and unintended consequences affecting adults in an era where anonymity plays a crucial role, especially concerning political criticism.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Social-Media-Begriffe, Internet-security
