I understand why no one wants to do it. But there needs to be a non-profit, independent, ad-free social media option for young people.

No one wants the moderation and safety responsibilities of running such a network. And I just said "no ads" (and no datamining, you ghouls) so this is the polar opposite of profitable.

But, young people deserve a safe place online. "just lie and say you're 15" is a bad "solution."

With the right legal framework these networks could be run through schools.

I understand why no one wants to do it. But there needs to be a non-profit, independent, ad-free social media option for young people.

No one wants the moderation and safety responsibilities of running such a network. And I just said "no ads" (and no datamining, you ghouls) so this is the polar opposite of profitable.

But, young people deserve a safe place online. "just lie and say you're 15" is a bad "solution."

With the right legal framework these networks could be run through schools.

@futurebird This reminds me of the comforting time I had spent on forums for children when I was 10 into my early teens. I think they were ran by the BBC, and it really helped me grasp things that were happening in my life, and let me interact with my peers when I was 'homeschooled' (I wasn't taught anything lol) and had no access to kids my age irl.

@FrazzledBrynn

I learned so much from participating in usenet groups & AOL forums. Livejournal was also a good place for me. In every case I lied about my age. That was "just how it was."

I also went to some very bad places online out of curiosity when I was too young to be there. Saw things like gore videos and felt like there was something wrong with *me* because they upset me. There was(is?) whole internet culture of "being upset by horrible things is for babies" and being 14 I bought in.

Are you still thinking of all the things that could go wrong? Good!

I assure you that hoping young people have parents who help them use the internet in safe ways (and not too soon or too much) leaves a LOT of kids vulnerable.

And "kids just shouldn't be online" is also not a solution.

Part of the reason online spaces are so toxic for adults is we just won't THINK about this or teach anything and expect people to "get it" without any education.

@FrazzledBrynn

But, I had adults in my life providing some supervision and guidance. And the internet was arguably safer and less exploitative when I was online as a child.

Things have not gotten better.

Do you talk to your kids in an open non-judgemental way about what they do online? If they encountered something or someone who hurt them or tried to exploit them do they know they can talk to you and not "get in trouble?"

I don't envy parents. No one is making this easier for them.

@futurebird I preach LAN before Internet. Have safe, multi-family community online spaces with a few hundret people to learn how stuff works before exposing to public internet...

Will have to set up that server gor my extended fam... sigh.

I understand why no one wants to do it. But there needs to be a non-profit, independent, ad-free social media option for young people.

No one wants the moderation and safety responsibilities of running such a network. And I just said "no ads" (and no datamining, you ghouls) so this is the polar opposite of profitable.

But, young people deserve a safe place online. "just lie and say you're 15" is a bad "solution."

With the right legal framework these networks could be run through schools.