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John

Sunday September 20, 2026

2 min read

Policies and Laws are Not Substitutes for Good Parenting

wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children-e1523624978710.gif?fit=900%2C640&ssl=1There is a popular trend to regulate social media and AI platforms over concerns about the impact on children. Several laws are being developed across the US with heavy input from the tech industry.  While parents have a responsibility to protect their children, questions arise about how much control is appropriate. Tools such as content filters, usage monitoring apps, and time limits can help ensure children are reasonably safe online.

The problem is that these tools are only effective when coupled with good parenting - spending time with children to instill in them a strong sense of morals and the ability to recognize right from wrong. Tools, policies, and laws are ineffective when parents fail to educate and reinforce moral beliefs in their children 

The development of additional online safety laws will lead to increased censorship, privacy, and security risks while failing to protect children. 

Related post from the EFF (although it fails to recognize the VPN risk): https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/09/eu-kids-act-wont-keep-internet-accountable-and-trustworthy

?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.freepik.com%2Fpremium-vector%2Fno-vpn-icon-private-network-illustration-symbol-protection-vector_744955-741.jpg%3Fw%3D2000&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=9a53df45a06e040321ab4f984d8b96453d0ccb7c39a20955c2248e5b519885c1I personally believe the trend of creating additional online safety laws is a veiled effort to eventually ban VPNs and force the adoption of validated digital identities.

This will likely start by using age verification for accessing VPNs. When this effort fails we'll see additional laws created to restrict the use of VPNs for only businesses. 

New Johnny Marr Out Next Month

I ordered it on vinyl - can't wait to hear the full album.

A Quick Morning Hike

post-20260921-224839-d14a0332.jpg

It was a gorgeous day for a short hike. We parked on the opposite side of Myra Canyon park but didn't hike all the way up to the trestles (it's  few miles up from where we had parked).
The views from the trestles are great.  We're planning to head up there again soon and will definitely do some snowshoeing up there.

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A space for stuff I find interesting.

I'm a former CTO, Software Developer, Consultant, and Technical and Industry Standards expert.

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