I am not outspoken politically at all anddon't tend to comment on the state of things publicly. But the implications that the UK Online Safety Act (that has recently came into being) has on the collective voice and society of the UK is something I don't want to be silent on.

For a year that has seen student protests, protests for Palestine, an inflation crisis worsening and more..an act condemning free speech under the guise of protecting children is a horror.

The UK Online Safety Act proposes that to access any information on the internet deemed for adults, an individual must prove their age as being 18+. How is this done? Through verification using YOUR ID. Surely it's a good thing? Ensuring the younger generation does not have access to harmful media and conversation IS a good move.

But this act was NEVER to protect the children. The role of protecting children from harmful content are the adults and people around them and features already EXIST for such a thing, that need only be accessed and monitored by responsible adults in children's lives. It is a guise to gain more control of your activity and data, by either restricting what you see to what is deemed morally appropriate or linking what you view, interact with and post about to your personal ID. It is an invasion of privacy, and an absolutely tragic spiral into censorship.

I find it startling that this is happening and by making the front of this Act to protect children from online pornography is a fantastic way to undermine anyone who would oppose it.

It will lead to consequences that limit thought, speech and freedom of creation. So many video games, books, content and websites will be restricted OR Linked directly back to a personal ID. All this at the same time could only mean a few things, and the government is not in your favour in it.

I believe technology is a burden to humanity in many ways, and we should seek to create a better world with genuine connections and systems that make it safe so we can be present, instead of an online space to supplement this. BUT the answer isn't ruining the internet. We use it as a platform to communicate and supplement where our real life society has failed...a support system, connective space and a communicative one. I don't even have social medias on my phone anymore due to these beliefs (all on my laptop I use about once a week like this post) but I acknowledge it's benefits. This act will deeply maul that.

And it'll impact..

Safe online spaces for discussing issues and recieving support like sexual assault (under the act is not accessible to under 18 year olds due to sexual nature and is currently in accessible in some cases like on the app Reddit) posting and organising protests about the political climate and war (which under the act are classified as violence, and have already censored videos about protests - which I have physically seen myself), out speaking against issues relevant to you and holding an opinion against the favour of the government, and much more..is arguably under threat, at many levels. All of it is determined by those in power. I can't comprehend the negative consequences of this all. Because from the surface it looks a great move.

The answer to the horrific issues we are facing, that coencide with the internet and being absorbed in technology...like disconnection, isolation and lack of meaning..isn't in censoring this technology. It is in creating a better environment and society to exist in, so that people will actually attempt to do so. This act will NOT do that. It will remove what freedom people have. Once again, removing a coping mechanism instead of addressing why it exists.

If you have a moment, sign. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722903