A Fascinating Conversation on A.I. Consciousness (And Why It Matters)

Casey Newton argues that a global shift is underway, pointing to multiple countries enacting or preparing restrictions that typically bar kids under 15 or 16 from holding accounts on major platforms.

He describes the Texas App Store Accountability Act as requiring age verification and parental consent for minors to download apps, and notes the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block it—after lower-court moves—making it more likely other states will follow similar paths.

Discussing Australia’s early results, Casey notes a 90-day check-in found over 85% of kids reported still using social media, but he argues the law only requires “reasonable steps,” that enforcement methods take time to mature, and that democracies are avoiding China-style ID requirements.

Casey contrasts population-level mental health findings (often “no effect” or “small” effects) with a “direct harms” frame tied to grooming, sextortion, scams, and other harms reported by millions of teens; he says bans are one of the few remaining levers if platforms and regulation aren’t improving conditions.

Jeff Sebo distinguishes access consciousness (functional, reportable states) from phenomenal consciousness (felt experience like pleasure and pain), and says welfare and moral status debates hinge primarily on the latter.