Staying safe while engaging with others in the web revival scene – some tips

[shevek]

⚑ Moderators Note ⚑

Hi, thank you for being part of this community!

While exchanging ideas about the web revival scene or small web here, it can be important to know that the topics of old tech and nostalgia, reclaiming the web from corporate design and ads, and the personal freedom of designing your own space can mean something else to different people!

It's worth it to look into how others understand and live these values on their personal websites. Especially as a webring host accepting new members, as a person willing to join a webring, or when you’re exchanging buttons to link to people’s sites.

• People might use the freedom to design their own website to host and spread hate speech, conspiracy theories or banned content. It's attractive to them because there is no (easy) way to report it or for anyone to engage with it in a discussion.
• "Reclaiming the web" might not just be about reclaiming it from corporate design restraints or ads, but about driving out or silencing minority groups such as the LGBTQ community and others, or creating spaces without them. In their view, the small web might be a space where they are free from these groups.
• Nostalgia can sometimes be used to idealize and romanticize very traditional views that are be sexist, racist, homophobic, or transphobic and hide it behind a veil of appreciating the past. For example, they'll imply that the past internet was better before these groups arrived, or before progressive ideas were spread over the internet.
• While criticizing social media sites and bigger corporations, some people take it as a cue to start talking about an "elite” and spread some antisemitic opinions.

This is just your reminder to check some sites more thoroughly to make sure you’re having a good time and connecting with the types of people you like and that respect you.

Remember to take breaks when things get too upsetting and to not share personal details that can be used to identify you offline against your will.