A generation-defining problem on the internet: The debate over age verification laws

Technologists and policymakers are grappling with a complex issue: how to ensure children’s safety on the internet without compromising the anonymity and freedom of adults. The problem has sparked a heated debate over age verification laws, which aim to restrict access to online content deemed harmful to minors. However, critics argue that these measures can lead to disastrous online privacy violations and undermine the fundamental right to anonymity.

In the United States, 23 states have enacted age verification laws as of August 2025, with two more states set to implement similar regulations in late September. These laws typically require websites hosting “sexual material harmful to minors” to verify users’ identities before granting access. In practice, this means that platforms like Pornhub have opted to block traffic from certain states rather than comply with the verification requirements. Pornhub has raised concerns about the risks of data breaches, stating that governments have historically struggled to secure sensitive user information.

Critics of these laws argue that the current approach to age verification is flawed, as it relies on users uploading sensitive information, such as government IDs or biometric scans, to third-party verification systems. This creates a vulnerability to hackers and malicious actors, as seen in the case of the app Tea, which exposed users’ personal data, including government IDs, selfies, and direct messages. Despite claims that these images were not stored, the breach led to severe consequences for users, including harassment and exposure of sensitive information.

The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, enacted in July 2025, is another example of a country grappling with the issue of age verification. The law requires online platforms to verify users’ identities before granting access to certain content, but the implementation has been criticized for its potential to restrict access to vital information and education. The Act applies to a wide range of platforms, including search engines, social media, video-sharing services, and messaging apps. As a result, users in the UK may be barred from accessing essential news and educational resources unless they verify their identities.

The debate over age verification laws has far-reaching implications for internet users worldwide. While some argue that these measures are necessary to protect children from harm, others see them as a threat to online freedom and anonymity. In places where people can be prosecuted for political speech, anonymity is vital to allow people to meaningfully discuss current events and critique those in power without fear of retribution. Corporate whistleblowers may be unable to report wrongdoing if all of their online activity is linked to their identity, and victims of domestic abuse may find it even more difficult to flee dangerous situations.

The U.S. has seen growing concerns about the potential misuse of these laws. With LGBTQ rights under attack in several states, activists have warned that laws like these could be used to classify non-pornographic information about the LGBTQ community, as well as basic sex education, as “sexual material harmful to minors.” These concerns appear well-founded, given that President Trump’s administration has removed references to civil rights movements and LGBTQ history from some government websites. Texas’s age verification law, upheld in a Supreme Court ruling in June 2025, was passed around the same time the state imposed other legal restrictions on the LGBTQ community, including bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

Even users outside the U.S. and U.K. may be impacted by these regulations. In the U.S., YouTube has already begun rolling out technology that estimates users’ ages based on their activity, regardless of what age they listed when registering their account. Meanwhile, the UK’s Online Safety Act has led to a surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), with half of the top ten free apps on iOS being VPNs after the law took effect. This trend highlights the growing demand for tools that can bypass age verification barriers, though free VPNs may not always have strong privacy practices.

As the debate over age verification laws continues, it is clear that a nuanced approach is needed to balance the need for internet safety with the importance of individual privacy and freedom. The challenge lies in finding a solution that protects children without compromising the rights of adults to access information, express themselves freely, and remain anonymous when necessary.