Simplified**
System76’s Take on Age Verification Laws
Access to technology is crucial for personal growth and development.
In 1990, I was a kid on road trips, fascinated by the world outside. I had access to Encyclopedias and PBS’s Nature series. Later, my child told me about immortal jellyfish species, sparking curiosity.
Fast-forward to today. A friend jokingly added El Mencho to a photo in Mexico, but our 13-year-old found a workaround using ChatGPT. This experience highlights kids’ resourcefulness when faced with restrictions.
Colorado’s Senate Bill 26-051 and California’s Assembly Bill No. 1043 require operating systems to report age brackets. However, most System76 employees created accounts as minors due to curiosity, not malicious intent. Limiting access may hinder future opportunities.
The bills don’t have real age verification mechanisms, encouraging users to lie about their age. New York’s proposed bill S8102A is even more restrictive, requiring adult proof for devices with internet connectivity.
Decentralized platforms like Linux are essential for personal liberty and innovation. Overly controlling platforms limit user contributions and potential.
The solution lies in educating children about digital abundance and trust, not restricting access. We must teach them how to navigate online challenges and empower their curiosity.
**Title: “Tech Companies Push Back Against Onerous Age Verification Laws”**
Source: https://blog.system76.com/post/system76-on-age-verification