EDITORIAL: Why Not Just Ban the Internet?

EDITORIAL

At the rate we are going, why not just ban the internet?

Discord becomes a problem, block Discord. Social media becomes dangerous for children, ban social media.

This ban-ban-ban approach is becoming our default response to digital problems.

The Senate-approved measure restricting social media access for minors comes from a legitimate concern. Children are exposed to scams, grooming, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and harmful content.

But banning access is not the same as solving the problem.

Facebook already has an age limit. Yet many children have easily found ways around it. Change the birthday, create another account, use someone else’s account.

So what exactly will another ban solve?

The harder work is making platforms safer, holding Big Tech accountable, strengthening parental controls, improving digital literacy and teaching children how to recognize danger.

We must raise children who can recognize danger, protect themselves and ask for help. A ban alone cannot teach them that.

Government should regulate. Platforms should be accountable. Children should be protected.

But if every digital problem ends with blocking, banning or restricting access, then perhaps we should stop pretending we have a digital policy.

Why not just ban the internet?