Brickbat: Show Us Your Digital ID

The Office of Communications (Ofcom), the United Kingdom's communications regulator, says social media companies may have to require users to show photo ID to prove they are at least 16 years old.  The requirement would be part of the government's planned ban on social media use by those under 16, which is expected to take effect next year. Ofcom identified several ways companies could verify users' ages, such as by checking passports or drivers licenses against live images, and estimating age through facial recognition technology. However, about 150,000 16- and 17-year-olds in Britain have neither a passport nor a drivers license. Facial age estimates can also be inaccurate by several years, which Ofcom warns may require additional identification checks for youthful-looking users. Supporters argue that stronger age checks will better protect children from harmful online content, but critics raise concerns about privacy, access to social media and whether the restrictions can actually be enforced. Ofcom acknowledges that determined children will find ways around the restrictions, as has happened in Australia, where many underage users continued accessing social media despite a similar ban.