Britain recently implemented new rules requiring internet users to verify their age before entering sites with content that is potentially harmful for children, including pornography and material encouraging violence or self-harm.
The rules are part of the Online Safety Act, legislation passed in 2023 that is one of the most far-reaching efforts by a Western democracy to regulate online content.
The new age-verification rules, which went into effect July 25, aim to shield minors from harmful online content, including from websites that promote suicide or eating disorders.
The British government said that during the month of July alone, 16 percent of teenagers had seen material online that stigmatizes body types or promotes disordered eating.
The rules are being closely watched in Europe, the United States and Australia, which plans in December to remove more than a million young teens from social media by setting a minimum age of 16.
Here’s what to know about the act:
What do the rules cover?
The act applies to websites, social media services, consumer file cloud storage and sharing sites, online forums, dating apps and instant messaging services. All are now required to verify visitors’ ages if their platforms contain harmful or age-inappropriate content.
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The post Britain Forces Porn Sites to Get Serious on ‘Age-Gating’ appeared first on New York Times.
