Recent research has revealed that young individuals are bypassing social media age verification measures through various methods such as using fake birthdates, shared accounts, edited photos, and even resorting to unconventional tactics like drawing fake moustaches. Despite stringent online safety regulations, almost half of children (49%) have encountered harmful content online, including violent or hateful material, as indicated by a new survey conducted by Internet Matters. The survey also showed that a significant portion of children (46%) believe that age checks are easily circumvented, with only 17% finding them challenging.
Around one-third of children (32%) admitted to bypassing age verification processes, either by entering false birthdates or using someone else’s credentials. Some even resorted to unique methods like applying makeup to create the illusion of facial hair to deceive the system.
A parent shared an incident where their 12-year-old son used an eyebrow pencil to draw a moustache, successfully tricking the system into identifying him as 15 years old. Similarly, another parent of a 12-year-old girl expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of age verification, stating that barriers often motivate children to find ways to overcome them.
Last summer, Ofcom mandated social media platforms to implement stringent age verification measures, including credit card checks and facial recognition technology, under the Online Safety Act. Subsequent surveys have shown an increase in the visibility of safety features, with approximately 68% of children and 67% of parents noticing enhanced reporting tools and content filters on various platforms.
While there have been some improvements in safety features, the overall progress remains slow, with less than half of parents (39%) and children (42%) perceiving the online environment as safer. Pressure is mounting on the government to consider banning social media for individuals under 16, following Australia’s recent implementation of a similar ban.
Currently, ministers are conducting consultations on various online safety measures, including potential bans, curfews, or usage restrictions for certain apps. In response to calls for action from the House of Lords, Education Minister Olivia Bailey recently pledged to introduce some form of age or functionality restrictions.
Internet Matters emphasized the need for strengthening age verification protocols to achieve meaningful progress. Initial findings from Australia’s ban indicate that a considerable number of 12 to 15-year-olds (61%) continue to access restricted platforms, highlighting the challenges of enforcing such regulations.
Rachel Huggins, the chief executive of Internet Matters, emphasized the importance of practical and effective safety measures tailored to the needs of families. She stressed that children are still vulnerable to harmful content due to the inadequacies of existing age verification systems.
In response to the findings, an Ofcom spokesperson highlighted the significance of robust age checks in safeguarding children online. The spokesperson emphasized the responsibility of tech firms to enhance platform safety for children and reiterated the need for continuous improvement in online protections.
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