{
  "id": 10666838,
  "title": "Tech is entering its prohibition era",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/tech-is-entering-its-prohibition-era",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-29T09:59:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-social-media-ai-prohibition-era-challenges-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Governments worldwide are seeking to impose restrictions on popular tech products, from social media to AI. Despite good intentions, such limitations may not deter users from accessing the technology. The United States' experience with alcohol prohibition from 1920 to 1933 provides a relevant example. When alcohol was outlawed, people found ways to continue drinking through secret speakeasies or dubious prescriptions. By 1933, drinking levels had remained largely unchanged. This serves as a cautionary tale as tech companies and governments increasingly aim to limit the use of ubiquitous software like social media and AI for children and teenagers. Recent actions include Meta's restrictions on teen users of Instagram and Facebook, New York City's ban on AI in public school classrooms, and calls from frontier AI companies for federal limits on AI development. While these measures aim to protect young users, they could lead users to seek unregulated platforms lacking proper safeguards. Professor Uttara Ananthakrishnan, a technology expert at the University of Washington, warns that banning tech people already use rarely works. Her research indicates that when adult websites implemented age-verification checks, users quickly migrated to sites without such checks. Similarly, Australia's ban on kids under 16 using social media sites has had minimal impact as teens and preteens quickly found ways to bypass the restrictions, using incorrect ages or VPNs. Meta recently settled a lawsuit over teen social media addiction by agreeing to implement restrictions but is unlikely to lead other platforms to follow suit. New York City and Los Angeles have banned generative AI in classrooms, with high school students receiving limited access to AI programs. However, some argue students will still find ways to use AI outside of school, secretly and unsafely. The history of alcohol prohibition highlights the challenges governments face in limiting widespread use of tech products, even with well-intentioned restrictions.",
  "summary": "Governments are seeking to set restrictions on popular tech. Though well-intentioned, the bans are easier said than done.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}