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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@lemmy.world

Collective Shout, a small but vocal lobby group, has long called for a mandatory internet filter that would prevent access to adult content for everyone in Australia. Its director, Melinda Tankard Reist, was recently appointed to the stakeholder advisory board for the government’s age assurance technology trial before the under-16s social media ban comes into effect in Australia in December.

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[-] Pika@rekabu.ru 11 points 1 week ago

To clarify against what many people jump to assume: Collective Shout is not a religious organization. Its stated goal is protecting children against content they believe may help form dangerous and abusive behaviors in real life. (Needless to say, science does not seem to back these claims)

This doesn't make them right by any means at all, but we need to understand our enemy if we want to be productive in fighting it.

[-] freddydunningkruger@lemmy.world 32 points 1 week ago

Um, the founder of Collective Shout, Melinda Tankard Reist, absolutely identifies as a pro-life Christian who has said that her faith 100% influences her activism.

So it's absolutely hilarious that you believe we need to "understand our enemy", when you've failed to identify the faith and influence of the founder and primary force behind it.

[-] skisnow@lemmy.ca 17 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I don't think this is entirely true. They're not overtly religious, but there's a lot of ostensibly "feminist" groups in many countries that are being funded by US religious groups. Someone posted their financials the other day, and they are simply not plausible for a random "we don't like porn" activist group. There's a lot of astroterfing going on, and the worst part is that everyone seems to just be accepting it.

[-] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Melinda Tankard Reist is conservative, religious and anti-abortion. Collective Shout has not made any statements leaning either right (such as anti-lgbtq or anti-abortion) or left (such as pro-lgbtq or pro non exploitative porn). It is a small charity yet and they are likely playing for the center to maximize its donations. If it ever becomes self-sustaining, it has a much higher chance of shifting right then left.

[-] MiddleAgesModem@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

This small charity is making a global impact.

this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2025
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