[soiler]

First of all, no, they're not adults. Kids can have phones, too.

Second, that's an extremely weak argument and I question if it's being made in good faith. But in case you are: the responsibility is on the manufacturer to make a safe product. That's why we have regulations on consumer product safety. You can't sell certain dangerous chemicals. You can't sell plastics with BPAs in them. Et cetera.

The consumer, when they have the product, also has their own responsibility to look out for their own safety. But that doesn't make it ok to give them something dangerous, especially if it's something that contains dangers most people don't even understand or know about, like malware. (Most people are "aware" of malware, but they have no idea how it works or how to protect themselves from it.)

[j-bos]

It's good faith, thanks for responding. :) I'm often challenged by these questions because the arguments often become questions of what's the best analog, which feels like it could be unreliable. I get your point about keeping chemicals out of our stuff, but that doesn't feel analagous to control over my device.

Keeping it in the kitchen, I'd say it's more like an Instant Pot that only lets you cook with Instant Pot Approved Recipe Packs. That way you'll never have food poisoning, or so says the marketing, and that's legit great novices! But if that's the only imduction cookpot available, something feels very off.

As for kids, parents are responsible for their use of stoves, cars, knives, etc. All are safe, until misused. I guess I'd like a clear line for where things are nerfed. And admit I might disagree with said line.

[soiler]

Hm, FWIW, I'm more on your side than not - I don't want to be locked out of customizing my devices. That's why I have GrapheneOS on my phone, and I think phone manufacturers may have gone too far in the overprotective side. I was only arguing that the correct path is somewhere in the middle, not a total abdication of responsibility by the manufacturer.