Re: What IS "Social Media"??

On 2026-02-01 15:29, Steve Hayes wrote:
> On Sun, 1 Feb 2026 19:21:52 +1100, Daniel70
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> Cross-posted to Linux and Win-11 NGs
>>
>> As may here would be aware, last December, the Australian Government
>> brought in Legislation to limit the access to "Social Media" for those
>> under 16 years of age.
>>
>> Whilst I doubt there were many under-16's using UseNet, I have heard
>> some suggest that it is a "Social Media".
>>
>> Facebook ... Sure!
>> X ... Sure!
>> Instagram .... Sure!
>> Youtube .... Some would suggest it is "Social Media", too.
>>
>> ... and there are probably others I can't think of or have Never heard of.
>>
>> But is UseNet "Social Media"??
> 
> Usenet can be a social medium, and is sometimes used as such, if one
> defines a socuial mediun as one through which people have social
> intoercourse with one another. But the nechnical newsgroups are
> certainly not social media, and some of the other ngs, though they may
> have some social chitchat are not primarily social media.

Social chitchat doesn't define social media.

Sending a post to alt.mechanics would be using social media.

In the AU legislation, Usenet fits the definition of social media 
squarely, already discussed in the thread.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;