this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2026
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For one example, if they're trans and find info about diy HRT younger than they would have otherwise and are spared years of irreversible changes and dysphoria.
Or, you know, just that they're people who should have a voice and ears and not be barred from the wider societal conversation from everything about TV shows to national politics to educational policies, that they should have a voice in, and are indeed pubescent and more mature than actual children at thinking.
To engage with other people, practicising their online interaction skills, as they're not going to suddenly be magically more able to resist disinformation and stuff at 16 because of a few months of brain development, the more important thing is practice and being exposed to online content.
There are plenty of online resources regarding this information that don't require young people to interact directly with random older people who may or may not be acting in good faith. All of what you described, with the exception of online interaction, is available without placing children and teens in a place where they can be groomed or exploited by bad faith actors.
As for the other side, middle aged adults have no need to be directly interacting with teens and younger that they met online. There's no benefit for those individuals and too much room for exploitation to occur without moderation.
I don't see a situation where the benefits outweigh the risks for teens and children interacting with random adults online. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree here.