Guest editorial | Internet needs some law and order | Editorials

The following editorial appeared in the Cumberland (Md.) Times-News, a CNHI newspaper. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tribune-Democrat.

Much like the Wild West and the exploration of America’s frontier are things of the past, to be remembered for their enduring cultural impact and dreamed about for their specific representation of freedom for some, the Wild West of the internet is dead and a thing of the past.

As such, much like law and order were brought upon the West, it’s time for some law and order on the internet. To extend the metaphor further, we’ve reached the Pacific, the rush for land has ended, and we have states to name and cities to build.

It seems like Congress is finally in agreement on the matter as it gets set to take action on internet safety for children. The Kids Online Safety Act could come up for a vote as soon as the end of this month.

The last time Congress passed laws to protect children on the internet was back in 1998 when the iPod – remember those? – had yet to come to market. Phones were still years away from readily available access to the internet, and tablets were still old stones found in the ruins of ancient civilizations.

Needless to say, the ways we interact with the internet and the internet itself have changed radically since then.

The last generation to grow up with some period of their teenage years being pre-smartphone have aged into adulthood. If there are any Luddites among the younger generation, they are few and far between.

Kids have intense exposure to the internet from a very young age now and, as such, are subject to some of its more insidious outgrowths without the life experience to properly navigate them.

The internet is rife with online predators who want to take advantage of them.

Bullies have access to their victims at all hours – not just during the school day.

Influencers put forth unrealistic and idealized versions of their lives that can lead to depression among the impressionable. And so much more.

This bill will hopefully curb some of the worst influences the internet can have on young people and allow them to grow up in a safer and saner online environment.

It probably won’t be perfect, but no bill is, and the enemy of good enough is perfection.