To not want to share my identity to access Social Media.

[Dbank]

With the current proposals to limit social media to over 16, would by definition require everyone to use some form of age verification to continue to have access.

Would you be happy to submit personal information, be it a bank card, a passport or a facial image to a third party, most probably based outside of the UK and not subject to GDPR?

To be honest, I think part of the problem with social media is the anonymity. She says, on an anonymous forum.

To be honest, no I wouldn’t. I just wouldn’t use it.

How do the Australians do age verification? They're the first to block under 16s I think?

I imagine VPN's will become mainstream.

I saw on the BBC website and article about the increase in VPNs since Pornography in the UK required age ID. It seemed like an advent for VPNs.

But no, I wouldn't share my details.

I was listening to a radio show interviewing Australian youngsters, who kind of indicated that most youngsters have already found ways around the ban.

Many people have their faces up on social media anyway. I'm not completely ok with this proposal, but I think people aren't aware how much information they already have about you

It wouldn’t bother me to show my face. I did it to prove my age on Reddit not long ago.

I have a shaming feeling that I've probably been on MN at least 15 years already. Unless I was a very advanced toddler, they can probably guess that I'm over 16.

No, I wouldn't want to share my ID with goodness knows who or what at the other end of an app. I already feel uneasy on official government websites when they request multiple forms of ID for legitimate reasons because I think imagine if it was intercepted and my whole identity would be stolen with one click. Not worth the risk for the sake of SM.

It'll go the same way as porningraphy, kids who are determined, will use VPNs.

All it will do is stop small children accessing it.

Bit won't stop their parents just giving them accounts anyway or vpns (which A Worrying amount will!)

It depends on the site in my opinion.

It doesn't bother me one jot to be honest. I think people can get overly paranoid about stuff like this.

From what little I've read about the age verification services that are being rolled out, they mostly don't store your data post verification.

I have to let a stranger on a scooter scan my passport if I get a red bull in my UberEats, I'm ok with Zuckerberg having a look at this point 😅

As a PP mentioned, anonymity is a problem in itself as it creates an issue around accountability - basically anyone can say or claim anything without consequences. But it depends on the platform to be honest. For instance I see the point of a verify badge for a 'serious' platform like LinkedIn to keep it as it's intended but it is controversial because I, for one, am not happy to share my passport details for a US platform to use God only knows how and store for God knows how long... but I also have a sneaky suspicion that the algorithm favours the verified profiles.
Would I post all my political commentary on MN under my real name? I may actually because I stand by my opinions, but I don't think the potential consequences would be fair to me as I need to travel Stateside for business so I'm glad I have an outlet that allows me to vent without (currently) any impact.
It's a very thorny issue.

It doesn't bother me one jot to be honest. I think people can get overly paranoid about stuff like this.
From what little I've read about the age verification services that are being rolled out, they mostly don't store your data post verification.

Roblox use a third party to do the age verification checks which requires various facial images to be provided.
Roblox claim that data is deleted immediately but it isn’t.
How many kids have provided their faces to Roblox without their parents being aware I wonder?
People are right to be concerned about this sort of thing.

Australian here. I haven't had to re-prove my identity anywhere. I wouldn't hand over my passport or driver's licence, nor would most people, so they are using more age verification like facial scanning etc. I haven't signed up for new platforms so can't be sure of the process. We have a lot of scam awareness campaigns so I doubt many people would happily hand over ID online, even though they claim to not keep it. Too many data leaks.

Sites just auto signed out anyone whose existing account was under 16. I'm assuming new accounts will require age verification.

My DC were both signed out of YouTube. DS13 can still use it, he just can't have a profile & save, subscribe etc. doesn't seem to worried. He uses roblox sometimes & had to do an age verification process to group him with same age kids. His was accurate, but I've heard many have aged the children incorrectly. I was unimpressed as DS did this without our knowledge or consent. He can still use messaging apps.

DD9 can't access YouTube, can't even open the app (I checked out of curiosity). She's still on YouTube kids though. Neither seem particularly fussed. We monitor & have controls over their usage, so they've never had carte blanche anyway.

Tbh it's not difficult to get around. I suspect most teens have quietly circumvented the controls.

Roblox use a third party to do the age verification checks which requires various facial images to be provided.
Roblox claim that data is deleted immediately but it isn’t.

Roblox claim that they delete your data immediately, which is accurate. It's stated quite clearly on their website how long their verification partner holds your data.

How many kids have provided their faces to Roblox without their parents being aware I wonder?
People are right to be concerned about this sort of thing.

That's a parental supervision issue.

We're talking about adults providing ID/biometrics to access social media.

I've never put my face on social media.

Also, this isn't because they care about kids, it is just a ruse to implement Digital ID.

So would you stop using SM, if you had to use third party age verification that required you to share your identity?

I don't want to be on social media with or without ID. I don't mind forums such as this one, but that's as far as I'll go.

I have to let a stranger on a scooter scan my passport if I get a red bull in my UberEats

What?? Really, I am genuinely astounded by this.

All users have to verify their age usually through a third party, which generally use government ID verification, facial age estimation (selfies), or bank details.

What could possibly go wrong...

How many kids have provided their faces to Roblox without their parents being aware I wonder?
This, in a nutshell, excellently describes the problem. Some parents are naive to the dangers of the online world. There is a plethora of information available on how to put constraints on devices. Yes, it takes time to understand how to implement on every device but it’s necessary. From smart phones to game consoles, no child should be allowed unfettered access to the internet.

As an adult, my impulse control can waiver hugely, let alone that of a child. My DC has always had constraints on his device, and it has prompted me to look at my own (wasteful!) screen time.

I don't mind doing it..it's already happening on gaming platforms, which is troublesome for my Microsoft account as I physically can't do it. I can't see it as not being a good thing though. Parents aren't protecting their kids. Something had to happen.

Tbh after going through a particularly brutal tupe and the months of hassle trying to get a citizenship card for youngest. I'd welcome digital ID.

It's not happening now anyway. Mandatory anyway.

I’m not too fussed about providing a photo of myself. Did it for Reddit recently.

I’m actually happy about Roblox’ new features with grouping by ages. It will keep a lot of kids safer.

My DS is on Roblox. He’s 10. His friends all have 18+ games, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram etc. It’s quite hard for them to be “that” kid who isn’t allowed some of these things.

Yes I would offer my information I couldn't give a fuck tbh.

If it makes people think twice about posting videos and pics of their kids who can't consent, that will be worth it.