Acharya Prashant responds to a question about Australia's recent bill to ban social media for children under 16 and its potential implications if implemented in India. He begins by stating that history shows blanket bans are generally unsuccessful. However, he acknowledges that the level of toxicity spread by social media is unprecedented in human history. He gives an example of a worthless, pathetic individual who, in real life, is good for nothing but acts like a roaring lion on Twitter, using a fake name like 'Singh ki Dahaad' (The Lion's Roar). Social media, he says, has truly become a den of mischief. When garbage is stuffed into someone's mind, that person's life itself becomes garbage. Acharya Prashant further elaborates that in the age of AI, anyone can create any picture or video. People might think an influencer with millions of followers achieved this on their own merit, but that's not the case. He asserts that such influencers are not a product of their content but a product of the algorithm. He suggests that instead of a complete ban, there is a need for moderation and regulation. He argues against depriving 12-15 year-olds entirely of user-generated content, as they are not so young that they cannot see anything at all. He proposes a system of user identification, similar to KYC (Know Your Customer), for all social media platforms. This would help in identifying users who are under 16 and filtering content accordingly. He believes this would also address the issue of anonymous trolling and the spread of misinformation. He explains that the problem is not just about anonymous surfing but also about anonymously generating user content. He points out that most trolls and those who spread misinformation hide behind fake names and profiles. The whole game of hiding one's identity to say things one wouldn't dare to say in person is wrong. He connects this to the broader issue of social media platforms being driven by profit. To increase revenue, they need more engagement, which is often achieved by promoting garbage content that appeals to the un-evolved human mind. The algorithms are designed to favor such content. He concludes that the root of the problem is spiritual. When people's lives are empty, they seek profit, which is capitalism. This, in turn, leads to algorithms that promote worthless influencers. The solution, he suggests, lies in raising the consciousness of the common person, which will then create the political will for proper regulation.
