Here's a short interview about attempts to stop the DataFarms pulling the next generation into social media addiction while they're still kids. Echoes of the strategies the tobacco industry used to generate future customers for cigarettes.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018868217/meta-s-planned-changes-for-kids-safety-will-they-work
This got me thinking about what the fediverse offers for younger users. At the moment, I would say not much. I'd be very interested to hear from parents who currently have young children or grandchildren interested in technology. If you could wave a digital wand and create the ideal online social experience for your kids, what would it look like and how would it work to protect their wellbeing and teach them good digital habits?
I don’t really have any idea, but if I was to advocate anything, it might include features that augment their offline world, that focus on creating vs. consuming and strengthen community values, character and mental health. @strypey
@tetrislife The online world vs. "real" world dichotomy is an illusion. I only realized this when I did a stunt that involved trying not to use the net for a whole year. It was really hard! Even in 2014, the two were increasingly overlapped. When I lived in China, social life was impossible without WeChat. For anyone under 30 (maybe even under 40), it's a continuum.
For that reason, I totally agree with @jarom that apps need to facilitate and improve offline life.