The article reflects on the implications of technological advancements for democratic discourse, starting with the 1997 UK general election, which briefly anticipated the “information superhighway.” It suggests that while the metaphor is outdated, it underscores a need for rules to protect users, particularly children, from online dangers. Governments, including Australia, Spain, and France, are considering banning under-16s from social media in an effort to shield them from harmful content—a move even supported by freedom of expression advocates like Kemi Badenoch when discussing the effects of such content.
Badenoch’s stance creates a contradiction by prioritizing adult freedoms over youth protection, as she dismisses the harmful aspects of social media exposure for older demographics. The article critiques how social media can manipulate user behavior and spread extreme views, which threatens democratic norms. This is compounded by the influence of tech oligarchs, like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, who shape political discourse in ways that may undermine democratic institutions.
The piece argues that current debates about regulating social media do not adequately address broader issues of who controls digital platforms and how that power affects sovereignty and public interest. It concludes with a note of cautious optimism that there is increasing recognition of the significant political consequences of the online migration of human activity, emphasizing that regulation should not be equated with censorship.
