People in Australia will soon have to prove they are over 18 before accessing online pornography, R-rated video games and sexually explicit AI chatbots under new laws aimed at protecting children from harmful content.
The rules, enforced by the country’s online safety regulator, require platforms to introduce stronger age-verification systems rather than relying on simple “over-18” tick boxes.
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Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commission commissioner, said the new approach mirrors safeguards used in physical venues.
“We don’t allow children to walk into bars or bottle shops, adult stores or casinos, but when it comes to online spaces there are no such safeguards,” she said.
Stricter Age Verification
From Monday, websites and digital platforms must take what regulators describe as “meaningful steps” to prevent children from accessing adult material.
Acceptable verification methods could include facial recognition scans, digital identity checks or confirmation through credit card details.
The rules apply widely across the internet, including search engines, app stores, social media platforms, gaming services, pornography sites and AI systems such as companion chatbots.
The changes come only three months after Australia introduced a ban preventing children under 16 from using social media.
Concerns Over Privacy and Effectiveness
Some experts warn the new regulations may face practical challenges.
Age-verification technologies can be bypassed by determined users, while the requirement to submit personal information could also raise concerns about data security and privacy.
However, regulators say the measures are necessary given the scale of young people’s exposure to harmful material online.
Research from the eSafety Commission found that one in three children aged 10 to 17 had seen sexual images or videos on the internet.
More than 70% reported encountering content involving extreme violence, self-harm or suicide.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 08.03 2026