To protect American children, the federal government should adopt an age-verification scheme for adult websites, and states should enact age-verification requirements for social media. The post Primer: Age-Verification for Children’s Online Safety appeared first on The Center for Renewing America .
Introduction In the digital age, vice is more accessible than ever. Smartphones have made pornography free, portable, and instantly available. Unsupervised internet use is widespread, and this development is particularly dangerous for America’s youth. The failure to restrict access to obscene adult content has left minors unprotected, opening the door to addiction and sexual depravity. Recognizing this crisis, many states have instituted age-verification requirements for adult websites and social media platforms. Although the Supreme Court upheld Texas’s age-verification system in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, state legislation continues to face legal challenges. Even so, the long-term effects of these measures are promising.…Open
Officials told platforms to verify children’s ages using government-issued documents, like identity cards. But the companies have balked, apparently over privacy concerns.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a midnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds.
The British government’s proposed curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds has faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness and ease of circumvention. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Outgoing - DETAIL: Prime Minister Starmer intends to declare a midnight social media curfew aimed at 16- and 17-year-olds. The curfew will constitute one of Prime Minister Starmer’s final acts in office before he is replaced by Labour Member of Parliament for Makerfield Andy Burnham , who has secured enough support from the Parliamentary Labour Party to become Prime Minister and Labour leader uncontested. The upcoming curfew will be “on by default” but can be turned off by users, leading to criticism of its effectiveness. The government is expected to…Open
The government says the measure, which must be signed into law by the president, will protect minors. Critics worry it will threaten free speech and privacy online.