A review by tc126
The End of Forgetting: Growing Up with Social Media by Kate Eichhorn

3.0

A succinct introduction to the growing problem of big data and it's impact on children and even adults. Valid points are raised in the development of childhood history throughout the 19th and 20th Century within Europe and America which balance out some of the more alarmist sentiments that are often leveled against new technologies. The author notes analog technological similarities such as the common practice of censorship of indecent photos in commercial photo development dark rooms in the 20th century, very similar to that of censorship on social platforms today. The author includes many examples in which technology has changed and has improved to bring us to our current standing. While many points and examples of historical developments online and offline can be enlightening many arguments only scratch at the surface level. There is little time given to say the topic of cancel culture which I would say would greatly relate to the topic of the book. Couple that with some half hearted citations such as some freud works which are greatly contested the book can seem shallow in its arguments, providing only a small and balanced commentary on events. For the casual reader this book can broach some very pertinent topics but it is by no means the book of choice on this topic.