Four Crucial Child Protection Laws to Know - And How to Ensure Compliance

The internet offers numerous valuable learning opportunities, but children can easily access content not intended for them. As a result, governments worldwide are introducing laws to ensure age-appropriate access to online goods and services. An estimated one in three internet users is under 18, and many children can lie about their age to access adult-oriented platforms. To address these issues, various legislations are being implemented, such as the Online Safety Bill, the Digital Services Act, and the California Age Appropriate Design Code Act. Large platforms like SuperAwesome are exploring age assurance options to obtain parental consent and protect children. However, many organizations have yet to understand the scale of the issue and start addressing the challenges of content, contact, contract, and conduct between underage and overage users. The Age Appropriate Design Code, introduced by the UK Information Commissioner's Office, requires online services to prioritize children's best interests. The Code focuses on how children's data is processed, recommending high privacy settings and minimizing data collection. The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is modeled on the UK's Code and places legal obligations on companies offering online services likely to be accessed by children under 18. The Act requires companies to undertake a Data Protection Impact Assessment for any online service, product, or feature likely to be accessed by a child. The UK's Online Safety Bill will impose duties on regulated companies to protect users, especially children, from harmful content. The Bill will usher in a new era of online safety, regulation, and accountability, with potential fines for non-compliance. Game developers are highly impacted by these legislations and need to review how current games are accessed and bear in mind regulations for new developments. This may involve having age-appropriate prompts, high privacy settings, and age-appropriate explanations. Particular attention must be paid to voice chat sections in games, as they expose children to significant risks. Many people believe that the only way to establish a user's age is to ask for an ID document, but this is not practical for young people who may not have an ID document. Thankfully, there are age assurance techniques that establish the likelihood of someone falling into a certain age range without needing to verify their full identity. One such method is facial age estimation, which accurately estimates age from a selfie. This technology is being used by companies like SuperAwesome, which has integrated it into its Kids Web Services tool. Another option is a Digital ID app, which allows individuals to verify their identity against a government-issued ID document and share specific details, such as a date of birth or an 'over 13' age attribute. Other age verification options include credit card checks, one-time ID document checks, and checks to mobile phone operators or eIDs. It is essential to offer people a choice in how they prove their age to ensure age assurance is inclusive and accessible to all. Online age verification is no longer optional; it is a necessity in gaming to ensure players have age-appropriate experiences. Regulations will hold platforms accountable for keeping children safe online. With innovative and robust age solutions, platforms can keep players safe while providing an incredible experience.