Australia is set to trial ‘age assurance’ technology aimed at preventing children from accessing online pornography. The National Cabinet has allocated nearly A$1 billion to combat gender-based violence, with tackling online harms being a key focus. This includes a pilot program to explore the use of age-checking technologies to restrict children’s exposure to inappropriate material on the internet.
Underage exposure to adult content is seen as a factor contributing to domestic violence by shaping harmful attitudes towards relationships. Controlling access to such material aligns with debates around age-related restrictions on social media platforms.
The eSafety Commissioner’s Roadmap for age verification report highlights alarming statistics, showing that a significant percentage of children have been exposed to online pornography at a young age. The report recommends trialing age assurance technology before mandating its use.
Age assurance relies on self-declared information like date of birth or biometric data to estimate a user’s age, while age verification involves verifying identity against trusted sources, such as a driver’s license or passport. While age verification is more secure, concerns around privacy and reliability remain.
It is acknowledged that no system is foolproof, as children can easily bypass age controls through fake information or help from others. However, implementing measures to restrict underage access to adult content is still deemed necessary. While some determined children may find ways to access inappropriate material, taking action is crucial in protecting young minds.
