American drivers licenses are basically just EU style ID cards. For new licenses you even need biometric data. State IDs and the “Passport Card” are (somewhat obscure) alternatives.

Europeans only need to apply for ID cards at around the age, were the average American gets their driver’s license.

A young American adult is probably almost just as identifiable by their government, as a young European adult would be by theirs.

Seeing regulations like the REAL ID act, I would say that America is headed towards more identification, rather than less.

Doesn’t every American have a social security number? That’s basically a national ID, just without any security features tho.

Maybe you could try to convince through other features, like sending sharper images, videos, audio messages or video calling etc.

If you get closer with her friend circle (or if she gets closer to your friend circle), you could propose to make a group chat, where you can keep each other up to date or plan future activities together. Your wife will probably not want to miss out on that.

Don’t talk about encryption or security to normal people, who are not into tech. They do not care. Only talk about features, that they can actually use, and only in situations were this would be useful. Don’t be preachy about your messenger use, don’t make them feel stupid.

How did that happen? Have you all used Signal from the beginning or did you switch over from something else

People for sure where hyperfixated on the term “neurodivergency” back on the old sub. I don’t understand why they thought ND means the same as anti-therapy.