[kypro]

Some would argue the point is to be intrusive... The most cost effective and simplest solution to kids watching porn would be regulation around on-device filters. Why the UK didn't do this and instead tried to regulate the entire internet should be questioned – is this really about the children watching porn?

When purchasing an internet-enabled device the UK could regulate that large retailers must ask if the device is to be used by an under 18 year old. If they say yes, then they could ship with filters enabled. They could also regulate that all internet-enabled devices which could be sold to children should support child filters.

If we did this then whether or not a child views NSFW material it will be on the parent, instead of the current situation where whether a child can view NSFW material online depends on the age verification techniques of Chinese companies like TikTok or American companies like 4chan.

[alias_neo]

> then they could ship with filters enabled

All mobile network connections already come with content filters enabled in the UK, adult or not, and has to be explicitly disabled.

[crtasm]

Yes but to be clear, using wifi or a VPN can bypass that. It's not an on-device filter.

[array_key_first]

Yes but wifi costs money - only adults have wifi. It's effectively already age restricted.

[ceejayoz]

Is this a joke or reference I'm missing?

[array_key_first]

No it's not a joke at all.

When you buy wifi, they already make sure you're an adult. They ask for proof of residence, you sign a contract. Children cannot buy wifi. Go ahead and try - no ISP is going to write a contract with a child.

Wifi, like tobacco and alcohol, is already age restricted.

The problem is the adults buying it then turn around and just... Hand it to children. That's not the fault of the law or society.

Like, okay the store clerk might make sure when I buy a pack of menthols I'm of age. But if I just go home and hand my kid the pack of menthols, all bets are off. That's not the store clerks problem, he can't and won't get in trouble for that.

Parents and establishments are being stupid here. Same applies for public wifi. Don't want kids to use it? Okay, give it a password, only tell the password to adults. Easy peasy.

The law can't stop parents from being stupid.

[ceejayoz]

> But if I just go home and hand my kid the pack of menthols, all bets are off. That's not the store clerks problem, he can't and won't get in trouble for that.

But it is society's problem, and within society's capacity to attempt to manage.

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/drugs... says it's illegal to give a child cigarettes, and the cops can confiscate them if you're 16 or below.

> The law can't stop parents from being stupid.

Sure, but reality also often means smart, caring parents still can't stop kids from... being kids. I've lived in places where half a dozen public wifi hotspots were available; even if I didn't, chances are I'd have to let my kids on wifi for homework, on computers I don't have admin rights to because they come from the school.

They can't go sign up for a new internet plan, but that's hardly required.

[sib]

What are you talking about when you say "when you buy Wi-Fi"? If you walk into a coffee shop, or a hotel, or just about anywhere, you get Wi-Fi for free. Are you talking about buying mobile service from an operator?

[alias_neo]

Yes absolutely. It's at the service provider level.