About Age Verification
Making the Internet Age Aware
The Internet was never designed with children in mind, so was not set up to apply the same restrictions we expect on what children can do in the real world when they are online. That's changing, and this is the first step towards an age aware Internet.
About Age Verification
What
What
What
You will soon need to prove you are at least 18 years old to access adult websites i.e. pornography. You will also need to prove your age before you see content about suicide, self-harm or dieting, which should not be seen by children either.
When
What
What
Subject to the new rules being approved by Parliament, "highly effective age assurance" measures will be required from July 25th 2025. All sites, large and small, whether based in the UK or abroad, must implement it by this date.
How
What
How
There are lots of ways to prove you age online, without disclosing your identity. You can upload you passport or driving licence to an independent third party "AV provider" - or take a selfie so your age can be estimated. You can use open banking or supply an emal address you've used for some time.
Why
What
How
Parliament passed the Online Safety Act in 2023 with the aim to make the UK the safest place for children online.
Ofcom which already regulates broadcasting, was put in charge of implementing the law, and has been developing the detailed regulations. The UK data protection regulator is also closely involved to keep your personal data private and secure.