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>I’ve been wondering recently what impact banning social media would have on birth rates. I’m confident it would be positive but I’m not sure on what magnitude.

>I’ve been wondering recently what impact banning social media would have on birth rates. I’m confident it would be positive but I’m not sure on what magnitude. Sex is decoupled from birth rates, due to access to 100% effective birth control (IUD/morning after pill/abortion). Hence there is no reason to think it would have any positive effect. I would be surprised if even a single person I know had had an unplanned kid.

nathan_compton 1y ago
> due to access to 100% effective birth control This doesn't really track. People still get pregnant accidentally all the time. And people also still decide to have babies on purpose if they meet someone they like. Social media may be screwing up the latter process somewhat and getting rid of it could improve birth rates. Birth Control isn't the whole problem. I would argue its not part of the problem at all - if people are choosing to not have kids, you don't have a birth control problem, you have a society problem. Unless you just think more human agency is bad? Seems like a weird take to me.
- lotsofpulp 1y ago
  Upon second read, I may have misinterpreted the comment. I assumed cedws meant birth rate increasing from one night stands due to going out to bars or clubs, but they may have meant increased chances of forming relationships. But that didn’t occur to me, since as far as I know, pretty much all relationships don’t happen like that anymore, and are usually planned prior to going out using dating apps or other personal networks. In which case, it’s not just instagram reels that would have to be gotten rid of, but also matchmaking services.
gitremote 1y ago
> Sex is decoupled from birth rates, due to access to 100% effective birth control (IUD/morning after pill/abortion). In 2022, the US overturned the constitutional right to abortion. Abortion is now outlawed in 17 US states, restricted in 8. Politicians in some of these states are also trying to ban IUDs and the morning after pill.
- OKRainbowKid 1y ago
  Moving towards "The Handmaid's Tale".

nathan_compton 1y ago

> due to access to 100% effective birth control This doesn't really track. People still get pregnant accidentally all the time. And people also still decide to have babies on purpose if they meet someone they like. Social media may be screwing up the latter process somewhat and getting rid of it could improve birth rates. Birth Control isn't the whole problem. I would argue its not part of the problem at all - if people are choosing to not have kids, you don't have a birth control problem, you have a society problem. Unless you just think more human agency is bad? Seems like a weird take to me.

lotsofpulp 1y ago
Upon second read, I may have misinterpreted the comment. I assumed cedws meant birth rate increasing from one night stands due to going out to bars or clubs, but they may have meant increased chances of forming relationships. But that didn’t occur to me, since as far as I know, pretty much all relationships don’t happen like that anymore, and are usually planned prior to going out using dating apps or other personal networks. In which case, it’s not just instagram reels that would have to be gotten rid of, but also matchmaking services.

gitremote 1y ago

> Sex is decoupled from birth rates, due to access to 100% effective birth control (IUD/morning after pill/abortion). In 2022, the US overturned the constitutional right to abortion. Abortion is now outlawed in 17 US states, restricted in 8. Politicians in some of these states are also trying to ban IUDs and the morning after pill.

OKRainbowKid 1y ago
Moving towards "The Handmaid's Tale".