It's sad to me that we are still following along with the sham that any entity (third party age verifier or Discord itself) can actually keep identifying data from leaking. But worse, it's mind-boggling that anyone is stupid enough to believe that these tools for controlling mass access to the internet will never experience scope creep. It's age-verification for children today, it will be keeping you safe from bad political ideas tomorrow.
They don't overstate it, but it seems obvious that large platforms are all feeling a bit of pressure on this:
But the specific way age assurance works (the verification methods, the compliance requirements) is being shaped by legislation already in effect in the UK and Australia, with Brazil quick to follow, and Europe and multiple US states close behind. By building this ourselves, we can show regulators that it's possible to verify age without collecting identity.
In countries that have already passed age verification laws, like the UK, Australia, and Brazil, the law may require platforms to use approved methods like facial age estimation or ID checks. These laws do not yet allow us to rely on our own non-identifying systems. We've already rolled out age assurance in the UK and Australia, with a similar Brazilian law going into effect soon. In these regions, any adult who tries to access age-restricted content will need to verify their age through a vendor like k-ID to get access. We're not the only platform navigating this.
I firmly believe that if there were actually enough parents that expressed their desire to protect their kids with their actions and more importantly their money we'd see much better tools.
I have tried for years to help adults understand this stuff and do effective first line of defense stuff for their kids. The harsh reality is it's not a priority until their kids have been exposed or harmed. Even then, they want bug daddy government to claim to try to do something they cannot do.
As you say, these efforts are gonna end up being more about control than safety.
We get what we deserve. Personal responsibility isn't attractive. But it's the only real way we make a better world.
I think it's because parents don't see any way out. It's impossible to police a kids' computer use to the extent necessary to avoid exposure. Especially when more and more critical schoolwork and basic life necessities are placed online.
Where people get it wrong is thinking that government solutions will make it better.
That, I find, is the mistake most people make. They have this misplaced trust that the government can actually make a hard situation better, but often they just make the hard situation worse.
Speaking as a kid who came from a very strict house -- parents are never going to be able to lock all the doors and prevent kids from getting in to stuff they shouldn't get in to.
With my own kids, I'm trying to put the emphasis on being able to think about potential consequences of what they do online and to grow shrewdness in them. I figure if I do these things at all well, I won't need to worry about policing their online activities.
(I'll also say that I value paying attention to them and I'm hopeful that I'll notice if something weird is going on in their life)
100% the right way. As kids age and mature it changes. When you have young innocent kids you should be more protective. Just as you would in the real world. You don't let them wonder off into the street for example. As they get older and you teach them you can trust they won't run into traffic. But they aren't street smart yet. So you teach them. Then it moves to coaching. And hopefully as they mature you become a trusted advisor. More of a peer.
So there's a massive difference between unfettered access to the Internet and doing some basic parental controls. You aren't wrong. A sharp kid can get exposed but many parents literally give up without even trying.
Even simply setting up a DNS filter and limiting their smart phone exposure can limit the opportunities. Nothing is foolproof but it's like I don't lock my doors because criminals will break in anyway.
We don't have that attitude with Bitcoin. We don't with our freedoms. We shouldn't with our kids. Not saying you do, but many seem to in my experience.
this is just extra steps. discord's user ID joined to the verification entry in the kyc db