Let's not go overboard. While I don't agree with this law, it's not much different from other underage laws that are commonplace: alcohol, tobacco, driving... I don't think it's an indicator of totalitarianism, it's just the same-old lawmaking philosophy updating to new developments.

It has to be read in sequence with other changes in Australia.

The government has been working tirelessly for more than a decade to prevent growing dissent from sweeping the major parties from power.

The government has wrapped itself in the dual flags of nationalism and protecting kids to shield themselves from an enormous volume of rational criticism on this topic.

Changing a law, in and of itself, isnt worrying. Its that minor parties these kids could have supported are facing a triple whammy, kids will be less likely to engage with them online, they have a steeper threshold to pass when accessing the senate, and they have had a large funding changes that disadvantage them.

Godwinning is perfectly appropriate imho.

It's not about underage protection. It's about requiring an ID from adults and keeping information about their identity while using social media.

But, I suppose you don't care because you don't have something to hide, don't you :)

My personal favourite analogy is gambling. The constant microdosing of dopamine to get you to hang around and spend just a little more ~money~ attention.