The government has decided to postpone a trial for age verification technology, often referred to as a “porn passport,” aimed at preventing minors from accessing explicit online content. Instead, they will rely on the industry to self-regulate. The eSafety Commission’s Age Verification Roadmap report explores various measures to protect children from online pornography, including age verification. The Commission conducted two years of research and consultation and presented the Roadmap to the government in March.
The Commission stated that their approach considers different human rights, such as privacy, while prioritizing the best interests of the child. They called for a trial of age verification technologies, including a pilot project from Europe that uses electronic tokens to prove a person’s age. The government has emphasized the need for the industry to be accountable for ensuring appropriate safeguards for children. While acknowledging that some platforms are already taking steps to protect children, the government believes that more can be done.
Research conducted by the eSafety Commission revealed a concerning increase in children’s exposure to pornography. A survey by the Australian Institute of Family Studies in 2017 found that 44 percent of children between 9 and 16 years old had seen sexual images within the previous month. Among 16 to 18-year-olds who had seen pornography, almost half encountered it between the ages of 13 and 15. The survey also showed that 70 percent of pornography accessed by this age group is through websites, 35 percent through social media feeds, 28 percent through social media ads, and 22 percent through messages.
The Roadmap acknowledged that pornography is easily accessible through offshore websites and various digital platforms frequented by children. It also highlighted troubling associations between mainstream pornography and behaviors that contribute to gender-based violence. The government’s current focus is on developing industry codes to address illegal content, such as child exploitation and terrorist material, before considering age verification technology. They also aim to enhance industry transparency and have committed to reviewing the Online Safety Act to combat online harms effectively and keep Australians safe.