back then the web (or prior networks like Gopher, Usenet) were used and filled m...

ta12653421 on July 2, 2025 | parent | context | favorite | on: Australians to face age checks from search engines

back then the web (or prior networks like Gopher, Usenet) were used and filled mainly by professionals working in the one or another field; and if you were online, you demonstrated already a basic tech undertstanding, since it wasnt as convenience as today. Sure, porn existed early on; but the "entertaining web content" was just not existing as today.

johnisgood on July 2, 2025 [–]

Yes, especially IRC. What people call today "gatekeeping" is exactly what gave IRC networks value.