Yes!! Cultivate good hoomans 100% we are on the same page.

I understand where you're coming from but the cat is already out of the bag. On an individual level, I'm with you. We should be limiting internet access and social media use for kids under 12 IMO. On a wide scale however, best thing we can do is be a good influence and provide a space we ourselves would like to be in so kids have an idea of what somewhere more functional (not perfect) looks like. We should be maintaining rules of respect, spam, and relevancy as best we can and we should call out uncritical takes or bad behaviors or deception. People will call collective behavior like this "the reddit hive mind" but really I've never struggled to find a dissenting opinion in most large threads. I think we just naturally create a baseline for what we consider acceptable and then people adhere to it because it makes sense. If there is a difference of opinion, SOMEONE will address it and if that difference is worth considering, we get to see those conversations and how many people agree or disagree. Yes, sometimes the hive mind has terrible takes. Sometimes you read the most terrible things from people with incredibly warped views. And if you're a kid, you're likely to be sucked into at least one toxic community based on a personal insecurity you have (like r/blackpill) but I cannot think of a better solution than providing popular, competing spaces critical of each other where people give actual reasons for their criticism.

Lol omg thank you!!! That is really nice of you to say!! Weirdly, you replied to MY first comment here so welcome fellow newbie! We'll try to keep this place one we'd like to be in together.

I disagree. Terrible take. It's never wise to discount, alienate, or exclude our youth. Growth is the name of the game and they're the ones who are going to be ushering in hopefully a better future. Who will they learn from if not us? You want them stewing with each other?

No. We maintain whatever nebulous internet "culture" we like and establish rules. Anyone, young or old, who doesn't adhere can suck eggs. That way young people learn how to act and we can hear them tell us about all the ways we need to better society.

Truly I believe that the children who develop during this time of overstimulation and rapid technological advancement will emerge maybe a bit... maladapted but better than us. Humans can be so resilient especially under supportive circumstances. Our intelligence is adaptive. So if you want to make a great internet community, maintain your respect for our kids.