When the US outlawed alcohol in 1920, people found ways to keep drinking — whether by sneaking into secret speakeasies in dingy basements or by obtaining dubious prescriptions for medicinal booze.
By 1933, when lawmakers finally legalized hooch, drinking levels were comparable (about 70%) to what they were before.
The failure of prohibition to make a meaningful dent in the country’s imbibing habits is instructive as tech companies and governments increasingly seek to impose limits on the use of ubiquitous software, such as social media and AI for kids and teens.
In recent months, Meta announced a slew of restrictions for teen users of Instagram…
