Age gating the Internet, ID and Children

Report

Defend Digital Me. (forthcoming, 2026). Who is age-gating our life online? Analysis of the technology used in the Australian Social Media Ban, emerging proposals in Europe, and the outcomes for privacy and data protection rights. (Pending corporate-right-to-reply responses; draft available on request).

[last updated July 15, 2026, 12:00] recent changes marked with icon

Legislation

(UK) Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026

(70) 214A Power to require providers of internet services to prevent or restrict access by children to internet services https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/section/70/enacted
(71) Progress statement https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/section/71/enacted
(72) Age of consent in relation to processing of a child’s personal data: information society services (Article 8ZA Child’s consent in relation to information society services: age verification) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/21/section/72/enacted

(Australia) Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024

Amends the Online Safety Act 2021 to establish a minimum age for social media use and an obligation on providers of an age-restricted social media platform to take reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted users from having an account with the platform; and Age Discrimination Act 2004 to make a consequential amendment. https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2025). Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024: Submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications. https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/submissions/technology-and-human-rights/social-media-ban

Emerging news on the UK online safety consultation topics

Amnesty International. (2026, June 16). UK: Social media ban for under 16s ‘right diagnosis, wrong prescription’. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/06/uk-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-right-diagnosis-wrong-prescription/ Kerry Moscogiuri characterises the ban as correctly identifying online harms but wrongly locating the problem in children rather than platform design. Cites Amnesty’s 2023 Driven into Darkness research on TikTok’s recommender.

A&O Shearman. (2026, July 1). UK government announces social media ban and other measures to protect children online. https://www.aoshearman.com/en/insights/ao-shearman-on-data/uk-government-announces-social-media-ban-and-other-measures-to-protect-children-online The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 came into force 29 April 2026, amending the OSA to let the Secretary of State make regulations restricting children’s access. Regulations expected December 2026, in force spring 2027; Ofcom to publish age assurance implementation steps by October. Notes no proposals to amend the GDPR age of consent. Griffiths’ 16 June letter to DSIT: age assurance at 16 technically feasible but fewer methods available than at 18, with accuracy problems at boundary ages and unresolved questions about ‘ageing’ child accounts.

Brussels Signal. (2026, May 8). European Parliament think-tank suggests VPN crackdown amid online age-verification push. https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/05/european-parliament-think-tank-suggests-vpn-crackdown-amid-online-age-verification-push/

Cybernews. (2026, July 14). How to bypass UK age verification in 2026: VPN guide. https://cybernews.com/uk/internet-censorship/get-around-uk-age-verification-requirements-2026/ Covers the repeal petition exceeding 550,000 signatures, the subsequent parliamentary debate, and the government’s refusal to repeal.

Defend Digital Me. (2026-rolling). The UK under-16s social media ban: Questions & answers FAQ. https://defenddigitalme.org/the-uk-under-16s-social-media-ban-questions-answers-faq/

Dubois, N. (2026, June 29). Roblox now scans faces of all 144M users. Tech Insider. https://tech-insider.org/roblox-age-verification-2026/ Q1 2026 revenue grew 39% to ~$1.442bn, but DAU fell sequentially to 132 million and Roblox cut full-year bookings guidance to 8–12% growth from 22–26%, explicitly citing age-verification friction. Shares fell ~18%, erasing ~$6.7bn in market value and triggering a securities class action. Roblox Kids/Select piloted in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands and New Zealand before global rollout mid-June 2026. By June 2026, 160+ lawsuits active (~162 in the federal MDL). A rare quantified instance of age assurance friction producing measurable user loss, disclosed under securities-law obligation rather than volunteered.

Euronews. (2026, May 15). Fact check: Is the EU about to restrict the use of VPNs? https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/15/fact-check-is-the-eu-about-to-restrict-the-use-of-vpns Virkkunen clarified to Finnish broadcast Talousaamu that the objective was to make safeguards harder to bypass, not prohibit VPNs; her office confirmed “absolutely no crackdown on VPNs”. Christel Schaldemose (Danish MEP, rapporteur on protection of minors online): the app is a positive step, but overly complex systems could create loopholes rather than solve the problem, and uneven implementation across Member States could push younger users toward VPNs.

European Commission. (2026, April 29). Commission sets out a common approach for EU-wide age verification technologies. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-sets-out-common-approach-eu-wide-age-verification-technologies Sets a 31 December 2026 target and requires independent third-party scrutiny against cybersecurity standards.

European Commission. (2026, April 29). Commission urges fast rollout of age verification app. https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/commission-urges-fast-rollout-age-verification-app-2026-04-29_en Member States to make the app available by end-2026, standalone or integrated into EU Digital Identity Wallets. The Commission will establish an EU age verification scheme with a published list of compliant providers.

European Commission. (2026). The EU approach to age verification. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-age-verification Records the blueprint becoming feature-ready 15 April 2026, and the Special Panel co-chairs presenting their final report in July 2026.

Future of Privacy Forum. (2026, May 12). The EU Commission’s approach to age verification: Mobile apps, DSA enforcement, and challenging national social media bans. https://fpf.org/blog/the-eu-commissions-approach-to-age-verification-mobile-apps-dsa-enforcement-and-challenging-national-social-media-bans/ Notes the Commission’s April 2026 preliminary finding against Meta for failing to prevent under-13s accessing Facebook and Instagram, and the March 2026 Snapchat investigation. Argues DSA enforcement shows the inadequacy of self-declaration and age estimation as compliance methods.

Gamermarkt. (2026, April 14). Roblox Kids & Select accounts: New age verification guide. https://www.gamermarkt.com/blog/roblox-kids-select-accounts-age-verification-system-2026/ Baszucki announced 13 April 2026 that Roblox Kids (5–8) and Roblox Select (9–15) would roll out globally in early June 2026. With 144m DAU as of Q4 2025 and over half under 16, the restructuring affects most of the user base. Relies on facial age-estimation made mandatory for chat in January 2026; over 50% of global DAU and 65% of US users had completed the check. Transitioning to the IARC framework later in 2026, so European players will see PEGI ratings.

HM Government / Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. (2026, June 15). Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back The primary announcement. Restrictions extend beyond a blanket ban to livestreaming and stranger communication including on gaming sites; AI “romantic companion” chatbots to enforce a minimum age of 18. Overnight curfews and infinite-scroll breaks flagged for July detail. 116,000 consultation responses; Ofcom to conduct a rapid study on effective age assurance at 16.

Inside Privacy (Covington & Burling). (2026, May 13). EU sets the clock on age verification: Rollout urged by end-2026. https://www.insideprivacy.com/minors/eu-sets-the-clock-on-age-verification-rollout-urged-by-end-2026/ The 30 June 2026 deadline for Member State implementation plans, and the 11 May 2026 announcement that the app is technically ready. Notes age verification is emerging as a standalone compliance workstream rather than being tied to the proposed Digital Fairness Act.

International Association of Privacy Professionals. (2026, April 15). European Commission’s age verification app ‘technically ready,’ rollout to come. https://iapp.org/news/a/european-commission-s-age-verification-app-technically-ready-rollout-to-come Virkkunen’s call for an EU-wide coordination mechanism and accreditation of national solutions — “one solution for the EU, not 27 different ones.”

ISPreview UK. (2026, July 14). Gov sets out more detail of UK social media curfews and restrictions for under 16s. https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2026/07/gov-sets-out-more-detail-of-uk-social-media-curfews-and-restrictions-for-under-16s.html Platforms in scope: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook, Kick. WhatsApp and Signal excluded. Three-month deadline on nude image sharing; government still weighing age-gating VPN use. The only located source stating the stranger-communication ban covers gaming apps and gaming websites.

Lekander, A. (2026, May 9). EU calls VPNs “a loophole that needs closing” in age verification push. CyberInsider. https://cyberinsider.com/eu-calls-vpns-a-loophole-that-needs-closing-in-age-verification-push/ England’s Children’s Commissioner has called for VPN services to be restricted to adults only. Flags that the revised Cybersecurity Act could carry child-safety criteria aimed at preventing VPN misuse.

McConvey, J. R. (2026, May 11). VPNs on regulatory block in EU, UK as lawmakers address age check circumvention. Biometric Update. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202605/vpns-on-regulatory-block-in-eu-uk-as-lawmakers-address-age-check-circumvention The AVPA position that circumvention can be detected without banning VPNs; Utah’s SB 73 defining location by physical presence regardless of VPN use. Also cites a 2023 University of Michigan multi-perspective study of 1,252 VPN users and nine providers, arguing VPN providers benefit from an unearned trust of the sort the age assurance industry is trying to earn.

NPR. (2026, June 15). Britain will ban under-16s from social media apps, including TikTok and YouTube. https://www.npr.org/2026/06/15/nx-s1-5858644/britain-social-media-ban International framing alongside Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia, with France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea studying similar approaches. Includes Esther Ghey’s response and Open Rights Group’s concerns about age verification companies and data protection.

Punch (Adeduyite, O.). (2026, July 14). UK social media curfew for 16, 17-year-olds announced. https://punchng.com/uk-announces-social-media-curfew-for-16-17-year-olds/ Default settings blocking access midnight–6am; mandatory AI chatbot breaks for under-18s; a crackdown on AI services giving dangerous or unverified mental health advice. Reports that responsibility for the detail falls to Andy Burnham following the Makerfield by-election.

Reclaim The Net. (2026, March 7). EU sets its sights on VPNs as age checks expand. https://reclaimthenet.org/eu-targets-vpns-as-age-checks-expand Predates the May wave. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has been meeting an age assurance cooperation group convened by Ofcom with European Commission participation; a joint release states the three regulators will hold regular exchanges through 2026 on age-assurance approaches, enforcement against adult platform services, technological developments, and data access for independent research. (Dated before the 2 April window but included for the trilateral regulator detail, which is not sourced elsewhere.)

Regula. (2026, May 4). Age verification in gaming: What platforms need to know. https://regulaforensics.com/blog/age-verification-for-gaming-platforms/ Ofcom says more gaming services are introducing age checks as the OSA rolls out, backed by fines up to £18m or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue. Steam, PlayStation and Xbox have introduced age-assurance flows in regulated markets; Epic Games uses cabined accounts and parental consent. The UK has the clearest officially documented platform-wide rollouts. Vendor-authored — treat framing accordingly.

Smartphone Free Childhood. (2026, June). UK social media age restrictions for under-16s: Your questions answered. https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/resource/uk-social-media-under-16-faq Enforcement sits with Ofcom, not parents; no family penalties. Curfews and scroll-breaks apply to 16–17s as defaults. Kendall wants a parliamentary vote on the regulations by end-2026, restrictions in force early 2027, made via secondary legislation under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

SOFX. (2026, May 11). EU calls VPNs a ‘loophole’ weeks after researcher cracked its age verification app in minutes. https://www.sofx.com/eu-calls-vpns-a-loophole-weeks-after-researcher-cracked-its-age-verification-app-in-minutes/ The most complete account of the 5 May letter: 19 organisations including Mozilla, EFF, Proton and the Tor Project urged UK ministers to reject VPN age-verification proposals. Utah’s SB 73 took effect 6 May, but enforcement of the VPN-specific provisions is paused until 3 September 2026 following an Aylo lawsuit — a detail omitted elsewhere. Fight for the Future called the law “impossible by design”.

TechRadar. (2026, June 16). UK bans social media for under-16s — all the latest news live. https://www.techradar.com/news/live/uk-social-media-ban-june-2026 Kendall confirms Bluesky’s inclusion, as it falls under the definition and is on Australia’s list. Polling: 59% think the ban will not be very effective. Green Party response cites NSPCC and Molly Rose Foundation warnings that a blanket ban could isolate disabled and LGBTQIA+ young people.

The Manc. (2026, July 15). Government announces social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK. https://themanc.com/news/government-announces-social-media-curfew-for-16-and-17-year-olds-in-the-uk/ Kendall’s framing, and the DSIT pilot involving more than 300 teenagers and parents across the UK, with families reporting curfews quickly became routine.

Tom’s Hardware. (2026, May 9). Fears grow that age verification coming to VPNs as a British research firm labels them a ‘loophole’. https://www.tomshardware.com/software/vpn/eu-research-arm-labels-vpns-a-loophole-as-age-verification-laws-drive-record-adoption The 5 May 2026 joint Mozilla/Mullvad/Proton letter opposing UK VPN age verification; Paul Moore’s April finding that the Commission’s app stored facial images unencrypted and could be bypassed via a boolean toggle; the Lords’ 207–159 January vote. Note: describes the EPRS briefing as published that week — it was published in January 2026 and re-promoted on 6 May.

UK online safety consultation-specific responses and references: Growing up in the online world: A national consultation, and connected comment

5Rights multi stakeholder statement (May 25, 2026). https://5rightsfoundation.com/resource/statement-on-the-uk-governments-growing-up-in-the-online-world-consultation/

AOMRC | Academy Medical Royal Colleges https://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Academy_Submission_DSIT_Growing_up_in_the_online_world_0526.pdf

ADCS. https://www.adcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ADCS-briefing-on-Growing-Up-in-the-Online-World-2026.pdf

ASCL Consultation response https://www.ascl.org.uk/Our-view/Consultation-responses/Growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-conversa

AVPA response to UK government consultation on social media (“Growing Up in the Online World”). AVPA. https://avpassociation.com/consultation-response/avpa-response-to-uk-government-consultation-on-social-media/

BCS. The Chartered Institute for IT. https://www.bcs.org/media/3y2dvncq/growing-up-online-response.pdf

Children’s Media Foundation. (CMF). https://www.thechildrensmediafoundation.org/archives/19356/cmf-submission-to-the-dsit-consultation-growing-up-in-the-online-world

Children’s Commissioner for England. (2026). Growing up in the online world: a national consultation — response from the Children’s Commissioner. https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation-response-from-the-childrens-commissioner/

Children’s and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. (2026). The Commissioner’s office undertook a children’s rights impact assessment (CRIA) https://www.cypcs.org.uk/resources/our-response-to-the-uk-governments-growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation/

Children’s Commissioner Northern Ireland. https://www.niccy.org/news/a-blanket-ban-on-social-media-might-sound-simple-but-it-will-not-address-the-real-issues/

Coram Scarf (2026) Response to the government’s consultation paper Growing up in the online world: a national consultation. https://www.coram.org.uk/news/coram-scarf-responds-to-government-consultation-on-growing-up-in-online-world/

Coram. (2026). Summary report: Coram submission to the “Growing up in the online world” consultation. https://www.coram.org.uk/resource/growing-up-in-the-online-world-consultation/

Defend Digital M (2026). Summary submission https://defenddigitalme.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Consultation-response-Defend-Digital-Me.pdf

Digital Mental Health Group (March 2026). Research group at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge. (Professor Amy Orben). https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/163429/default/

Education Select Committee. (2026, May). Growing up in the online world: The Education Committee’s response to the Government’s consultation (First Report of Session 2025–26, HC 187). UK Parliament. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cmselect/cmeduc/187/report.html

Electronic Frontier Foundation. (2026, May 5). EFF and 18 organizations urge UK policymakers to prioritize addressing the roots of online harm [Coalition letter — signatories include Mozilla, the Tor Project and Open Rights Group — warning that post-Children’s-Wellbeing-and-Schools-Act age-gating would force all users to verify identity and reshape the web; calls for tackling business models rather than access bans]. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/05/eff-and-18-organizations-urge-uk-policymakers-prioritize-addressing-roots-online

FIPR (2026). Foundation for Policy Research. https://www.fipr.org/20260526-GrowingUpInTheOnlineWorld.pdf

The Fostering Network (2026) https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/our-reports-consultation-responses-and-briefings/our-response-to-the-growing-up-in-the-online-world-consultation-1/

Gamers’ Voice. (2026, May 5). Joint statement on not placing internet services (including games) behind an age gate [Shannon, T.]. Gamers’ Voice. https://gamersvoice.org/joint-statement-on-not-placing-internet-services-inc-games-behind-an-age-gate/

Global Partners Digital Consultation Response (2026). https://www.gp-digital.org/news/gpd-submits-response-to-dsit-national-consultation-on-age-based-online-restrictions/ direct to file https://www.gp-digital.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Final-DSIT-Consultation-May-2026-.pdf

INEQE Safeguarding Group. (2026, March). Growing up online: A guide to the UK government consultation [Advocates “sensible restrictions rather than outright bans”]. INEQE. https://ineqe.com/2026/03/06/growing-up-online-uk-government-consultation-2026/

Internet Matters (May 2026) Consultation Response. https://www.internetmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Internet-Matters-response-DSIT-consultation-May-2026.pdf

ITIF (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) May 2026. https://itif.org/publications/2026/05/22/comments-uks-department-science-innovation-technology-growing-up-online-world/

Mishcon de Reya. (2026, March). The UK government opens its consultation for views on “Growing up in the online world: A national conversation” [Briefing on consultation scope, age assurance and VPN circumvention]. Mishcon de Reya. https://www.mishcon.com/news/the-uk-government-opens-its-consultation-for-views-on-growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-conversation

Molly Rose Foundation, NSPCC, 5Rights Foundation, & 39 other organisations. (2026, January 18). Joint statement on social media ban for under-16s [Opposes a blanket under-16 ban; calls for enforcing age 13, banning addictive design for teens, and compelling platforms to block harm]. Molly Rose Foundation. https://mollyrosefoundation.org/childrens-and-online-safety-campaigners-issue-joint-statement-on-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/

Molly Rose Foundation. (2026). Australia’s social media ban – is it working? (2026). Molly Rose Foundation. https://mollyrosefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MRF_Australia-Social-Media-Ban-Research_Briefing-April-26.pdf

Muslim Council of Britain (May 26, 2026) submitted written evidence https://mcb.org.uk/mcb-submission-social-media-consultation/

NAHT (May 27, 2026) https://www.naht.org.uk/News/Latest-comments/News/ArtMID/556/ArticleID/3062

National Youth Agency. (2026). (NYA) response to “Growing up in an online world” national consultation. https://nya.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/National-Youth-Agency-NYA-Response-to-Growing-up-in-an-online-world-national-consultation-.pdf

NSPCC. (2026). Government must stand up to big tech or under-16s social media ban is coming, warns NSPCC CEO [Sets out three actions it wants from the consultation; says a ban “would be better than nothing” only if government fails to act on design and accountability]. NSPCC. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2026/social-media-ban-three-actions/

Open Rights Group (Consultation response May 2026). https://www.openrightsgroup.org/publications/growing-up-in-an-online-world-org-consultation-response/

Open University (The Centre for Protecting Women Online) https://cpwo.open.ac.uk/consultation-on-childrens-online-safety/

Sway.ly https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/we-submitted-our-response-governments-consultation-online-xeo6e/

techUK “Children Online: What Good Policy Looks Like” (ahead of formal submission). https://www.techuk.org/resource/children-online-what-good-policy-looks-like.html

U.S. Embassy London / U.S. Government. (2026). U.S. Government response to the UK consultation “Growing up in the online world.” https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-government-response-to-the-uk-consultation-growing-up-in-the-online-world/

Other references to UK online safety consultation

Back Youth Alliance statement (January 2026) https://www.ukyouth.org/2026/01/back-youth-alliance-statement-on-the-government-consultation-on-online-safety-for-young-people/

Bates Wells. (2026, March). UK government launches consultation asking for views on under-16s social media ban [Legal update]. Bates Wells. https://bateswells.co.uk/updates/legal-update-uk-government-launches-consultation-asking-for-views-on-under-16s-social-media-ban/

Biometric Updates.com (2026) ACCS says reusable age check systems must establish provenance. The Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) has released a statement clarifying its position on reusable age checks. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202605/accs-says-reusable-age-check-systems-must-establish-provenance

Bird & Bird. (2026). UK government children’s safety and AI chatbot powers — Two new Acts receive Royal Assent [Legal analysis; flags risk if Secretary of State regulations do not “have regard to” consultation responses]. Bird & Bird. https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2026/uk/uk-government-children’s-safety-and-ai-chatbot-powers-two-new-acts-receive-royal-assent

Bird & Bird (2025) Bird & Bird (2025). Privacy Meets Safety: OAIC Guidance Clarifies Privacy Requirements for Social Media Age Assurance. https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2025/australia/privacy-meets-safety-oaic-guidance-clarifies-privacy-requirements-for-social-media-age-assurance

Centre for Mental Health (March 2026) https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/social-media-and-childrens-mental-health/

Childnet International. (2026, April). Growing up in the online world — A national conversation: Using the government consultation to help facilitate youth voice in schools [Blog post]. Childnet. https://www.childnet.com/blog/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-conversation-using-the-government-consultation-to-help-facilitate-youth-voice-in-schools/

Childnet International. (2026). Growing up in the online world — A national conversation: Resources for schools and youth settings [Resource page; child-friendly consultation question summary and survey]. Childnet. https://www.childnet.com/resources/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-conversation-resources-for-schools-and-youth-settings/

Cooley. (2026, March). Beyond the Online Safety Act: UK proposes sweeping social media ban and feature restrictions [Legal analysis]. Cooley. https://www.cooley.com/news/insight/2026/2026-03-04-beyond-the-online-safety-act-uk-proposes-sweeping-social-media-ban-and-feature-restrictions

Covington & Burling. (2026, March). UK government launches consultation on children’s online experiences, including new obligations for AI [Legal analysis]. Inside Privacy. https://www.insideprivacy.com/online-safety/uk-government-launches-consultation-on-childrens-online-experiences-including-new-obligations-for-ai/

GirlGuiding March 2026. Only 15% of 10-16 year olds think a social media ban will make them feel safer https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/about-us/press-releases/social-media-companies-need-to-do-more-to-protect-young-people/?mc_cid=6b8b647862

House of Commons Library. (2026, April). Proposals to ban social media for children (Research Briefing No. CBP-10468) [Notes 45,000+ consultation responses received by 15 April]. UK Parliament. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10468/CBP-10468.pdf

Insurance Business Magazine (2026) Online safety push is creating an insurance problem https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/cyber/online-safety-push-is-creating-an-insurance-problem-578720.aspx

IRL study (2026-27) A bespoke app loaded onto the teenagers’ smartphones will cap each participant’s total social media use per day and block all social media use at night. https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/about-us/news-and-research/uk-teens-to-have-social-media-curfew-in-world-first-mental-health-study

KELSI. (2026). Growing up in the online world: A national consultation [News article signposting schools to respond]. Kent Education Services. https://www.kelsi.org.uk/news-and-events/news/primary/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation

Leicestershire Traded Services. (2026). Growing up in the online world: A national consultation [Article encouraging school-sector responses]. Leicestershire County Council. https://www.leicestershiretradedservices.org.uk/Article/185093

Mishcon de Reya. (2026, February). Will the proposed social media ban for under-16s work? An examination of the legal hurdles [Briefing]. Mishcon de Reya. https://www.mishcon.com/news/will-the-proposed-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-work-an-examination-of-the-legal-hurdles

NSPCC (2026). How can we help make children safe online? Our next steps. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2026/how-can-we-make-children-safe-online-our-next-steps/

Osborne Clarke. (2026, February). Regulatory Outlook February 2026: Digital regulation [Tracks government direction of travel, including the consultation]. Osborne Clarke. https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/regulatory-outlook-february-2026-digital-regulation

Register of interests for the members of the Expert Panel for Growing up in an Online World (May 26, 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/expert-panel-register-of-interests/register-of-interests-for-the-members-of-the-expert-panel-for-growing-up-in-an-online-world

Safer Schools NI (INEQE). (2026, March). Growing up online: A guide to the UK government consultation [Northern Ireland-facing guide]. Safer Schools NI. https://saferschoolsni.co.uk/growing-up-online-uk-government-consultation-2026/

Society for Computers & Law. (2026, May 15). Online safety consultation: Q&A with Rachael Bishop of DSIT [Event to inform members’ submissions]. SCL / Online Safety Lawyers’ Network. https://www.scl.org/events/event/online-safety-consultation-qa-with-rachael-bishop-of-dsit/

Staksrud, E., and Livingstone, S., Olafsson, K., (2026). Use, views and worries on age bans on social media: responses from 29,169 children in 19 European countries. Technical Report. EU Kids Online, University of Oslo and LSE. https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/138705/

Ofcom

Ofcom. (2024-25.). Age assurance duties under the Online Safety Act [Guidance hub]. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/age-assurance

Ofcom. (2025a, January 16). Age checks to protect children online [Press release; announces the age assurance enforcement programme]. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/age-checks-to-protect-children-online

Ofcom. (2025b, January 16). Statement: Age assurance and children’s access. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/statement-age-assurance-and-childrens-access

Ofcom. (2025c, January 16; updated 24 April 2025). Guidance on highly effective age assurance — for Part 3 services. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-1-10-weeks/statement-age-assurance-and-childrens-access/part-3-guidance-on-highly-effective-age-assurance.pdf

Ofcom. (2025d, January 16). Guidance for services publishing pornographic content (Part 5): Age assurance and record-keeping duties. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/statement-age-assurance-and-childrens-access

Ofcom. (2025e, April 24). Children’s access assessments guidance. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/statement-age-assurance-and-childrens-access

Ofcom. (2025f, April 24). Protection of Children Code of Practice for user-to-user services — Section 13: Age assurance (Volume 4, Statement: Protecting children from harms online). Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/

UNICEF. (2025, December 9). Age restrictions alone won’t keep children safe online [Statement]. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/age-restrictions-alone-wont-keep-children-safe-online

Report references

3million (2026). Response to the Government’s Consultation on Digital ID. https://the3million.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/t3m-submission-DigitalIDConsultation-05May2026.pdf

438 Signatories: Joint statement of security and privacy scientists and researchers on Age Assurance (March 2026) https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026

5Rights Foundation.(2021). But how do they know it is a child? Age assurance in the digital world. 5Rights Foundation. https://5rightsfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/But_How_Do_They_Know_It_is_a_Child-1.pdf

Abelson, H., Anderson, R., Bellovin, S. M., Benaloh, J., Blaze, M., Callas, J., Diffie, W., Landau, S., Neumann, P. G., Rivest, R. L., Schiller, J. I., Schneier, B., Teague, V., & Troncoso, C. (2021). Bugs in our pockets: The risks of client-side scanning. arXiv:2110.07450v1

Agencia Española de Protección de Datos. AEPD. (2026). Resolución de procedimiento sancionador PS-00164-2025, Expediente EXP202317887 [Yoti Ltd]. https://www.aepd.es/documento/ps-00164-2025.pdf

Allen, T. (2025). Australia Age Assurance Technology Trial. Age Check Certification Scheme. https://ageassurance.com.au/report/ (For AV see https://ageassurance.com.au/report/part-c/)

Australian Child Rights Taskforce. (2024, October 9). Proposed social media bans for children under 16-year olds [Letter]. https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2024-10/apo-nid328608.pdf

ANZ Plus. (2026). ConnectID Terms & Conditions. (2026, January 2). ANZ Plus. https://www.anz.com.au/plus/terms-conditions/connectid-terms-conditions/

Biometric Update. (2026). EU recommends white label age verification app, but member states are wary. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202604/eu-recommends-white-label-age-verification-app-but-member-states-are-wary

Bradshaw, T. (2025). Meta adopts new age-check system to meet global child safety laws. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/8164c36c-f224-4006-bc1f-561952c119b6

Bryant, M. (2025). Denmark plans social media ban for under-15s as PM warns phones ‘stealing childhood’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/07/danish-pm-plans-to-ban-social-media-for-under-15s-warning-it-is-stealing-childhood

Bursztyn, L., Duckworth, A., Jiménez-Durán, R., Leonard, A., Milojević, F., Roth, C., & Sunstein, C. R. (2026). Why Bans Fail: Tipping Points and Australia’s Social Media Ban. https://bfi.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BFI_WP_2026-57.pdf

Burt, C. (2026). Spain’s AEPD fines Yoti $1.1M for biometric data handling violations | Biometric Update. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202603/spains-aepd-fines-yoti-1-1m-for-biometric-data-handling-violations

Cox, J. (2024). ID Verification Service for TikTok, Uber, X Exposed Driver Licenses. 404 Media. https://www.404media.co/id-verification-service-for-tiktok-uber-x-exposed-driver-licenses-au10tix/

CRIN. (2026). Banning what exactly? The quicksands of defining social media. Child Rights International Network. https://home.crin.org/the-big-debates/banning-what-exactly-the-quicksands-of-defining-social-media

CRIN. (2026). VPNs for children: Villains, Predators, Nastiness? More like Visibility, Privately Negotiated. https://home.crin.org/the-big-debates/vpns-for-children

CRIN. (2026). Letting kids on social media is like sending them to Mars (and other bizarre analogies). https://home.crin.org/the-big-debates/letting-kids-on-social-media-is-like-sending-them-to-mars-and-other-bizarre-analogies

CRIN. (2026). To ban or not to ban?: That should not be the question. https://home.crin.org/the-big-debates/to-ban-or-not-to-ban-that-should-not-be-the-question

Cybersecurity News. (2026). Instagram Meta AI vulnerability allegedly enables password reset for accounts. https://cybersecuritynews.com/instagram-meta-ai-vulnerability/

da Costa, C. (2026). Kids Are Outsmarting Age Verification With Fake Mustaches. Gadget Review. https://www.gadgetreview.com/kids-are-outsmarting-age-verification-with-fake-mustaches

Dawson, J. (2025). Where in the tech stack should age assurance checks occur? Yoti. https://www.yoti.com/blog/discussion-paper-where-in-the-tech-stack-should-age-assurance-sit-and-how-should-it-be-done/

Discord. (2025). Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service. (2025, October 3). Discord. https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service

e-Safety (2026). Australia SMMA Compliance update: March 2026. Social Media Minimum Age. eSafety.gov.au. https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/SocialMediaMinimumAgeComplianceUpdateMarch2026.pdf

Entrust. (2024, April 9). Entrust completes acquisition of Onfido, creating a new era of identity-centric security [Press release]. https://www.entrust.com/company/newsroom/entrust-completes-acquisition-of-onfido-creating-a-new-era-of-identity-centric-security

European Parliamentary Research Service. (2026, January). Virtual private networks and the protection of children online (EPRS_ATA(2026)782618). European Parliament Think Tank. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2026)782618 VPNs.

Erling, B. (2026). Poland plans social media ban for children under 15, Bloomberg News reports. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/poland-plans-social-media-ban-children-under-15-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-02-27/

EU Observer. (2025). Sweden pushes EU on kids’ social media restrictions. https://euobserve.com/society/sweden-pushes-kids-social-media/

European Commission. (2020). Report on the first short-term review of the Geo-blocking Regulation (COM(2020) 766 final). https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-publishes-its-short-term-review-geo-blocking-regulation

European Commission. (2025a). Commission makes available an age-verification blueprint. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-makes-available-age-verification-blueprint

European Commission. (2025b). Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on the application of Article 33 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 and the interaction of that Regulation with other legal acts (COM(2025) 708 final). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2025:708:FIN

European Commission. (2026a). Commission urges Member States to rollout EU age verification app. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-urges-member-states-rollout-eu-age-verification-app

European Commission. (2026b). The age verification manual – EU Digital Identity Wallet. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/spaces/EUDIGITALIDENTITYWALLET/pages/930450954/The+Age+Verification+Manual

European Commission. (2026c). EU age verification blueprint: The dedicated technical portal. https://ageverification.dev/

European Parliament. (2019). Harmful internet use – Part I: Internet addiction and problematic use (O. Lopez-Fernandez & D. J. Kuss; PE 624.249). Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA). https://doi.org/10.2861/315951

European Parliament. (2025). Children should be at least 16 to access social media, say MEPs. [Press release] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251120IPR31496/children-should-be-at-least-16-to-access-social-media-say-meps

European Digital Rights. (2023a). Online age verification and children’s rights EDRi. https://edri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Online-age-verification-and-childrens-rights-EDRi-position-paper.pdf

European Digital Rights. (2023b). Position paper: Age verification can’t ‘childproof’ the internet. EDRi. https://edri.org/our-work/policy-paper-age-verification-cant-childproof-the-internet/

European Digital Rights. (2024a). Irish Media Regulator must address dangerous age verification in its new online safety code. EDRi. https://edri.org/our-work/irish-media-regulator-must-address-dangerous-age-verification-in-its-new-online-safety-code/

European Digital Rights. (2024b). Age against the machine: The race to make online spaces age-appropriate. EDRi. https://edri.org/our-work/age-against-the-machine-the-race-to-make-online-spaces-age-appropriate/

European Digital Rights. (2025). Age verification gains traction: The EU risks failing to address the root causes of online harm. EDRi. https://edri.org/our-work/age-verification-gains-traction-eu-risks-failing-to-address-the-root-causes-of-online-harm/

Facebook. (2026). How using your ID to verify your age works on Facebook. (2026, May 11). Facebook Help Centre. https://www.facebook.com/help/671565971895323?helpref=faq_content

G7 (2026). G7 Common Set of Principles defining a safer and more secure digital space for minors. https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/Actualites/2026/g7/principles-safer-and-more-secure-digital-space-for-minors.pdf G7 Digital and Technology Ministers.

Google (2026a). Access age-restricted content & features. (2026, May 14). Google Account Help. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/10071085#zippy=%2Cuse-an-email-address-for-age-verification%2Cuse-a-credit-card-for-age-verification%2Cuse-an-id-for-age-verification%2Cfind-valid-types-of-id-for-age-verification%2Cget-country-specific-guidance

Google. (2026b). Privacy Policy. (2026, April 2). Google Privacy & Terms. https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en

Hooker L. & Cress, L. (2026). UK social media ban for under-16s consultation begins. (2026, March 1.) BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3vjkx9d7o

House of Commons. (2026, April 27). Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill [Debate]. Hansard, HC Deb vol 784, col 699. April 27, 2026. https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-04-27/debates/09FEE6E7-FF12-45A0-A358-1E18BE4A44DF/Children%E2%80%99SWellbeingAndSchoolsBill

House of Commons Library. (2026, 22 May). Proposals to ban social media for children (Research Briefing No. CBP-10468) [Updated version; the Act now requires the government to impose “some form of age or functionality” restriction for under-16s — “must,” not “may”; names minister Olivia Bailey; statutory progress report due 3 months after Royal Assent, regulations within 12 months]. UK Parliament. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10468/CBP-10468.pdf

Inside Privacy. (2026). EU sets the clock on age verification: Rollout urged by end-2026. Covington & Burling. https://www.insideprivacy.com/minors/eu-sets-the-clock-on-age-verification-rollout-urged-by-end%E2%80%912026/

ISO 27566-1 Certification. https://accscheme.com/services/iso-27566-1-certification/

ISO/IEC 27566-1:2025. (2025). ISO. Retrieved 15 May 2026, from https://www.iso.org/standard/88143.html

Joint statement of security and privacy scientists and researchers on Age Assurance. (2026). [Letter]. https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026

k-ID. (2025). Newly launched OpenAge Initiative introduces AgeKey [Press release]. Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110709762/en/Newly-Launched-OpenAge-Initiative-Introduces-AgeKey

k-ID (2026a). K-ID Privacy Policy. (2026, May 11). K-ID. https://k-id.com/privacy-policy

k-ID (2026b). K-ID Subprocessors. (2026, May 12). K-ID Trust Center. https://security.k-id.com

Kick. (2026). Age Assurance FAQs. (2026, May 4). Kick.Com Help Center. https://help.kick.com/en/articles/12947994-age-assurance-faqs

King & Spalding. (2026). When regulators build the age verification app: It is not necessarily for the greater good. https://www.kslaw.com/news-and-insights/when-regulators-build-the-age-verification-app-it-is-not-necessarily-for-the-greater-good

Krishnan-Barman, S., Kaldor, I., Fenn, L., Woodhouse, L., Persian, R., & Kolker, E. (2025). A behavioural audit of online services in the UK: Thematic report. Ofcom. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/online-safety/research-statistics-and-data/online-services-research/a-behavioural-audit-of-online-services-in-the-uk_thematic-report.pdf

Lee, C., Kim, H., & Hong, A. (2017). Ex-post evaluation of illegalizing juvenile online game after midnight: A case of shutdown policy in South Korea. Telematics and Informatics, 34(8), 1597–1606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.07.006

LexisNexis Risk Solutions. (2025). LexisNexis Risk Solutions completes IDVerse acquisition [Press release]. https://risk.lexisnexis.com/about-us/press-room/press-release/20250219-idverse-acquisition

Livingstone, S., Cantwell, N., Özkul, D., Shekhawat, G., & Kidron, B. (2024). The best interests of the child in the digital environment. London School of Economics and Political Science. https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/122492/3/Best_Interests_of_the_Child_FINAL.pdf

Livingstone, H. (2026). How does Australia’s under-16 social media ban work? BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyp9d3ddqyo

Meta (2025). Working With Parents to Enroll Teens Into Teen Accounts. Meta Newsroom. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/04/meta-parents-new-technology-enroll-teens-teen-accounts

Meta (2026). Meta Privacy Policy – How Meta collects and uses user data. Meta. https://mbasic.facebook.com/privacy/policy/printable/version/23954169707588482/

Meta (2026a). New AI-Powered Age Assurance Measures to Place Teens in Age-Appropriate Experiences. Meta Newsroom. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/05/ai-age-assurance-teens/

Meta (2026b). How Meta uses information for generative AI models. Meta Privacy Centre. https://www.facebook.com/privacy/genai/

Meta. (2026c). How video selfie age verification works on Facebook. Facebook Help Centre. https://www.facebook.com/help/1386337538619854?cms_platform=www&helpref=platform_switcher

Meta (2026d). How does video selfie age verification work on Instagram? Instagram Help Centre. https://help.instagram.com/292521846402382

Ministry of Children and Families (2026). Norwegian Social Media age restrictions Law on Track to Be Introduced This Year. (2026, April 24). Government.no. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/whats-new/norwegian-social-media-age-restrictions-law-on-track-to-be-introduced-this-year-this-is-how-the-age-limit-for-social-media-will-work/id3157276/

NAB. (2026). ConnectID customer terms and conditions. (2026, May 15). NAB. https://www.nab.com.au/help-support/connectid-your-digital-identity/terms-conditions

NIST. (2025). Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT): Performance of automated age estimation algorithms (NIST IR 7995; 0 edn, p. NIST IR 7995). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7995

Notley, T., Chambers, S., Dezuanni, M., Park, S., & Lee, J. Y. (2026). Social media ban: The impact on young people’s news engagement. Western Sydney University, Queensland University of Technology, & University of Canberra. https://apo.org.au/node/334363

OHCHR. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. (2025). Privacy Guidance on Part 4A (Social Media Minimum Age) of the Online Safety Act 2021. https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/related-legislation/social-media-minimum-age

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. (2026). Privacy Commissioner publishes new guidance to ensure proportionate age assurance as a gateway to access online experiences. Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/privacy-commissioner-publishes-new-guidance-to-ensure-proportionate-age-assurance-as-a-gateway-to-access-online-experiences

O’Flaherty, M. (2026). Regulate online platforms, not children [Statement]. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/regulate-online-platforms-not-children

Online Safety Network | reources including a tracker of OFCOM enforcement action https://www.onlinesafetyact.net/resources/

Parliament of Australia. (2024). Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024: Supplementary explanatory memorandum Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/ems/r7284_ems_ca8c5dba-cc80-4846-92f5-bea56885dcdf/upload_pdf/Supplementary%20EM_Online%20Safety%20Amdt%20(Social%20Media%20Minimum%20Age)%20Bill%202024.pdf

Persona. (2025). Persona raises $200M at $2B valuation to build the verified identity layer for an agentic AI world [Press release]. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/persona-raises-200m-at-2b-valuation-to-build-the-verified-identity-layer-for-an-agentic-ai-world-302442649.html

Persona. (2026a) Processor Privacy Policy. (2026, April 9). Persona. https://withpersona.com/legal/privacy-policy#age-assurance

Persona. (2026b). FAQ: For Reddit Users Using the Persona Service. (2026, May 13). Persona Help Center. https://help.withpersona.com/articles/7F6BaF9h8Fxf0XWkwQscXN/

Pillitteri, P. (2026). EU age verification app: How the anonymous mini-wallet works (2026). https://pasqualepillitteri.it/en/news/949/eu-age-verification-app-anonymous-mini-wallet-2026-guide

PrivateID. (2023). Secure Age Estimation privacy policy. https://g.privateid.com/privacy

Privately SA. (2026). Privately SA Privacy Policy. (2026, May 12). Privately SA. https://www.privately.eu/privacy-policy-en

Reddit. (2026). How does age verification work in Australia? Reddit Help. https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/47163443918228-How-does-age-verification-work-in-Australia

Shrivastava, R. (2025). AI Is Making The Internet’s Bot Problem Worse. This $2 Billion Startup Is On The Front Lines. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rashishrivastava/2025/04/30/ai-is-making-the-internets-bot-problem-worse-this-2-billion-startup-is-on-the-front-lines/

Snapchat. (2026). Account Restrictions for Australia Users. (2026, May 12). Snapchat Support. https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/42550358600084-Account-Restrictions-for-Australia-Users

Soriani, A. (2026). Educating for a video game culture: Vol. 2. Keep on playing, keep on growing. Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/-/educating-for-a-video-game-culture-volume-2

SQ Magazine. (2026). Meta fixes Instagram AI flaw used in account takeovers. https://sqmagazine.co.uk/meta-fixes-instagram-ai-flaw-account-takeovers/

TikTok (2026a). Confirm your age on TikTok. (2026, May 14). TikTok Support. https://www.tiktok.com/support/faq_detail?query=age+assurance&id=7543604789788039686&category=web_account

TikTok. (2026b). Technology to determine your age on TikTok. (2026, May 14). TikTok Support. https://www.tiktok.com/support/faq_detail?query=age+assurance&id=7543604782246959621&category=web_account

TikTok. (2025). How TikTok is complying with a new government law in Australia. TikTok Newsroom. https://newsroom.tiktok.com/how-tiktok-is-complying-with-a-new-government-law-in-australia?lang=en-AU

Tombs, R. (2025). Yoti reaches EBITDA profitability, expects further facial age estimation growth [as reported by Biometric Update]. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202504/yoti-reaches-ebitda-profitability-expects-further-facial-age-estimation-growth

Tools for Humanity. (2026). Orb: Proof of human hardware and software. Retrieved June 1, 2026, from https://www.toolsforhumanity.com/orb

Tuta. (2026). Age verification: What countries require you to perform ID checks & for what websites and platforms? Tuta. https://tuta.com/blog/age-verification-kills-anonymity

Twitch. (2026). Age Verification on Twitch. (2026, May 12). Twitch. https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/age-verification?language=en_US#aus-FAQ

UNICEF. (2025). Drawing a line in digital spaces: Policy note on age-based restrictions for social media. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). https://www.unicef.org/media/170666/file/Policy%20note_age%20restrictions%20social%20media-new.pdf.pdf

UNCRC. (2013). General comment No. 14 (2013) on the right of the child to have his or her best interests taken as a primary consideration (art. 3, para. 1) (CRC/C/GC/14). UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/778523. (Para. 47).

UNCRC. (2021). General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment (CRC/C/GC/25). https://www.unicef.org/bulgaria/en/media/10596/file

van der Hof, S., Hannema, T. S. P., & Liefaard, T. (2020). The child’s right to protection against economic exploitation in the digital world. The International Journal of Children’s Rights, 28(4), 833–859. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718182-28040003

Veale, M. & Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. (2022). Adtech and Real-Time Bidding under European Data Protection Law. German Law Journal, 23, 226–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/glj.2022.18

Veratad. (2026). Veratad Privacy Policy. (as available on May 12, 2026). Veratad. https://veratad.com/privacy-policy

VerifyMy. (2025). Email address age estimation FAQs. (2025, February). VerifyMy. https://verifymy.io/age-verification-and-estimation/email-address-age-estimation-faqs/

VerifyMy. (2026a). Age assurance Privacy Policy. VerifyMy. https://verifymy.io/age-verification-and-estimation/age-assurance-privacy-policy/

VerifyMy. (2026b). Email address age estimation. VerifyMy. https://verifymy.io/age-verification-and-estimation/email-address-age-estimation/

Vohra, A. (2026). European nations mull social media ban for children. DW. https://www.dw.com/en/european-nations-mull-social-media-ban-for-children-instagram-tiktok-anxiety-depression/a-75841184

Wertheimer, T. (2026). Spain announces plans to ban social media for under-16s. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2nddvmryo

Westpac (2026). Westpac ConnectID Customer Terms and Conditions. Westpac. https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/innovation/connectID-your-digital-identity/connectID-customer-terms-and-conditions/

Whittaker, Z. (2025). How we found TeaOnHer spilling users’ driver’s licenses in less than 10 minutes. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/13/how-we-found-teaonher-spilling-users-drivers-licenses-in-less-than-10-minutes/

Williams, T. (2025). ‘Unbelievably easy’: Online age checks tricked in UK. Information Age. https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2025/unbelievably-easy-online-age-checks-tricked-in-uk.html

X. (2026a). Age Assurance on X. Help Center. https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/age-assurance

X. (2026b). Australia Online Safety Information. X Help Center. https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/australia-resources

Yoti. (2026a). Age Verification Privacy Policy. Yoti.https://www.yoti.com/privacy/age-verification/

Yoti. (2026b). Thoughts from our CEO: Yoti sees major improvements in liveness and age estimation models [Blog post]. https://www.yoti.com/blog/thoughts-from-our-ceo-january-2026/