Over 350 international researchers are calling for a pause on the development of online age verification technologies, particularly those intended to restrict access to social media platforms. The call, made in an open letter released Monday and shared with the AFP, reflects growing concerns about the potential risks and unintended consequences of these systems.
“We are writing this letter to request a moratorium […] until a scientific consensus emerges on the benefits and risks that age verification technologies can bring,” wrote the signatories, who include professors, researchers, and doctors specializing in digital technology and data protection from approximately 30 countries. The group represents institutions such as Polytechnique, King’s College London, and MIT.
The researchers expressed “great concern” regarding pending legislation and policy positions in several countries. Their appeal comes as governments worldwide grapple with how to protect young people online. Australia recently implemented a ban on social media access for those under 16 in early December, and multiple European nations are considering similar laws. In France, a bill prohibiting individuals under 15 from accessing social media passed the National Assembly in late January and is now awaiting review by the Senate.
The letter warns that broad age restrictions could have negative repercussions. The researchers argue that current discussions about regulating social media, AI chatbots, and messaging apps could lead to a situation where all users – both minors and adults – are required to prove their age to engage in basic online activities like communicating with friends and family, reading news, or conducting research. This shift towards widespread age verification raises significant privacy concerns, as the technologies used to estimate and infer age are “remarkably intrusive in terms of privacy,” according to the letter.
Beyond privacy, the researchers point out the ease with which existing verification tools can be circumvented. They also fear that restrictions could simply drive users to alternative platforms with fewer safeguards. Instead of outright bans, the researchers “encourage the exploration of alternative measures, in particular those that address the root of the problem,” such as the algorithms used by social media networks themselves.
The debate over online age verification comes as policymakers and tech companies seek solutions to address the potential harms of social media on young people. The development of these technologies represents a complex challenge, balancing the need for safety with concerns about privacy, accessibility, and freedom of expression.
