[skh]

There are lots of cases where a significant portion of the populace wants something that is bad or is opposed to something that is good. Government is supposed to look out for the greater good. We can't just say that people want X so we ought to allow it. Similarly we can't just let government ban/endorse whatever it wants.

I think it's clear that Facebook on the whole has detrimental effects on society. It does have benefits for people but it has very bad negative consequences for society. Therein is the conundrum. I have no solutions to the problem but also won't discount regulations on Facebook simply because people like certain features.

[stickfigure]

We can't just say that people want X so we ought to allow it.

Who's "we"?

At least here in the US, >60% of the voting public are Facebook users. So we're not talking about "a significant portion" - we're talking about the majority. You sound an awful lot like someone trying to claim that "you know what's best for us".

I think it's clear that Facebook on the whole has detrimental effects on society.

I don't think this is clear at all. Rigorous evidence please! And not "oh look this bad thing happened" - because if that's the standard of evidence then we should ban cellphones, airplanes, riding lawn mowers, and chewing gum.

[skh]

I sound like someone who recognizes that there are circumstances in which the majority ought not get their will satisfied and that there are circumstances in which the majority will ought to be satisfied. I’m someone who recognizes that merely stating that the majority wills it so is not sufficient reasoning.

My post was pointing out a flaw in your stated reasoning. Specifically your over reliance on the fact that the majority wants it without any supporting arguments that this is a case in which the majority will ought to prevail. I was not taking a position on any issue. I’m certain that if you were sufficiently interested in the topic you could find studies showing detrimental effects of Facebook. A search engine will provide you with links.

The “we” is obviously society.