Denver Post Comment Section

I'll chime in as someone who was on BBS scene back in the early 90s. Back then, the internet was a godsend for a nerd (unaware of being on the spectrum) like me since I was able to connect with like minded people around the globe, reading and sharing conversations that would not exist in real life since I was stuck in a small town. It was a place of learning and acceptance since in real life I couldn't connect with my peers in school and my awkward social gatherings. The majority of online interactions were positive and I was able to learn from those experiences, which looking back helped me grow as an individual.

Fast forward to today, the majority of internet is garbage. The bane of it is unhinged social media and it's AI moderated crap coupled with corporate interests to profit off of everything. Advertising is toxically being forced fed everywhere, as are unrealistic expectations for every aspect of life for young people to consume. There are very few places to go that offer those experiences like I had in those days past. Watching what today's kids and teens are subjected to break my heart as the majority are being exposed to the worst of humanity.

I think without some sort of internet revolution and regulation of the crap, it's only getting worse... Especially when reports like this have been more prominent lately. Sad to see the (d)evolution of something like the internet experience go on how it's been going. I really hope something changes or stories like this are going to be more mainstream and the situation will be taken out of context for the profiteering corporate class. Unfortunately the clowns running this country (USA) have no concept of what is really going on and only see profit in corrupt bribery. I'm thankful for communities like Lemmy but it's only a matter of time before this goes to shit like everything else before it.