Australia, UK, and now US - age assurance regulations for social media platforms gaining steam

The internet can be a wild place, especially for kids. Governments are stepping in to make it safer, pushing social media platforms to figure out who’s behind the screen. Age assurance regulations are popping up everywhere, requiring companies to verify users’ ages to shield minors from harmful content. Think explicit videos, violent posts, or anything else that might not be suitable for young eyes. The United States is the latest to jump on this train, with states rolling out new laws that could change how we use social media.

South Dakota is leading the charge in the US. Its new law, HB1053, got the green light recently, and it’s a big leap in the right direction, as highlighted by Biometric Update. Any website hosting content that could harm kids has to use “reasonable age verification methods.” That means checking IDs, bank accounts, or other ways to confirm someone’s age.

It’s not just for sites loaded with risky content either. If it’s part of their regular business to host this material, they’re on the hook. Break the rules, and the attorney general can come knocking with fines or even criminal charges. This comes hot on the heels of a lawsuit that alleges TikTok hasn’t been doing enough to protect young users from harmful content.

Alabama’s taking a different swing at the problem. Lawmakers there are debating HB317, a bill that puts the pressure on app stores. The idea is simple. Minors need parental consent before downloading apps. The bill also stops app stores and developers from holding kids to contracts or sharing their personal data.

Meta, the folks behind Facebook and Instagram, are apparently also cheering this one on. They say it hands control back to parents, letting them decide what their teens can access. It’s a practical approach, targeting the apps that kids use every day.

These laws aren’t just talk. They’re boosting companies like Yoti, which specializes in age verification tech. Yoti’s seen massive growth as more states crack down, especially on adult sites. Their tools, like facial age estimation and digital wallets that prove someone’s over 18, are becoming hot commodities.

Other countries are in on this too. Australia’s proposing tough new codes to keep kids away from adult content online, with big fines for platforms that don’t comply. The UK’s not far behind, investigating TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur to see if their age checks hold up. Some Asian countries have also put ID verification in place or are debating on it. So it’s clear this isn’t just a US trend. It’s global, and it’s picking up speed.

So what’s next? These regulations could make the internet safer for kids, but they’re stirring up debates about privacy and access. How do you balance protection with freedom? It’s a tricky question. For now, age verification looks like it’s here to stay. If you’re a parent, feel free to share your thoughts on these new regulations in the comments section below.

Featured image AI-generated with Microsoft Designer