Operating system age controls are a useful layer of protection but cannot replace age checks by the website itself. Most rest on an unchecked date of birth, cover only some devices and describe the account holder rather than the person using the device. Apple’s iOS...
As children head back to school, many will do so carrying something previous generations never had: a smartphone that provides constant access to social media, messaging apps and strangers. For many parents, one concern increasingly stands out above the rest:...
Why age verification laws should require more than an IP address to prove a user’s location Understanding “the VPN Fallacy” Some adult websites claim they comply with state-mandated age verification laws by blocking access from states where such laws are in effect....
New Zealand has become the latest country to propose a social media minimum age of 16. But its new Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill does more than copy Australia. National, the largest party in New Zealand’s governing coalition, has...
In their latest publication in a series tackling age assurance, “Zero-Knowledge Proofs Aren’t Age Verification Silver Bullets” the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) base their critique of a proven cryptographic technology entirely on the potential for...
Governments are increasingly exploring a “social media delay” to restrict or better regulate children’s access to online platforms. These proposals are driven by growing concerns around youth mental health and online safety risks. Many countries are considering...
