Jake Turvey, Sarah Eddy, Ana Orozco, Megan S C Lim
Policy changes are more likely to be successful if they have popular support. Although many young people in this study supported age verification as a concept, there were significant concerns about the feasibility and security of the process. It is vital to conduct further research on user apprehensions and the potential negative impacts of age verification and to explore more suitable, privacy-sensitive approaches before these policies are implemented.
BACKGROUND: Policymakers are increasingly seeking to reduce the accessibility of internet-based pornography to children and young people. In 2026, the Australian government implemented mandatory age verification for access to pornography and some other online content.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand young people's attitudes toward age verification, including which methods of age verification they considered acceptable, and to explore associations between these attitudes and participant characteristics.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of young people aged 15 to 29 years in Victoria, Australia (N=794) was conducted through social media advertising. Participants were asked whether they supported age verification for pornography and which of the 4 potential verification methods they considered acceptable. They could provide feedback about age verification in a free-text response. Logistic regression examined associations between participant characteristics and support for age verification (strongly agree or agree vs strongly disagree or disagree). A qualitative analysis of free-text responses was undertaken using a reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Of 761 respondents, most (n=459, 60.3%) supported mandatory age verification, but none of the 4 proposed specific age verification methods (identification document upload, facial scanning, credit card, and parental monitoring) was considered acceptable by a majority. The median age at which participants thought viewing pornography should be permitted was 16 (IQR 15-18) years. Those identifying as women, aged 18 to 19 years, actively religious, and who first intentionally viewed pornography at an older age were more likely to support age verification, whereas those identifying as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minority identities), in an open relationship, and who viewed pornography monthly or more often were less likely to support it. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions indicated that participants had considerable apprehensions related to user privacy and data security, potential adverse effects of blocking access to pornography on young people's sexual development, and doubts about the overall effectiveness of the technology. Less regulatory strategies, such as comprehensive sexual health education, were discussed as more suitable and viable approaches.
CONCLUSIONS: Policy changes are more likely to be successful if they have popular support. Although many young people in this study supported age verification as a concept, there were significant concerns about the feasibility and security of the process. It is vital to conduct further research on user apprehensions and the potential negative impacts of age verification and to explore more suitable, privacy-sensitive approaches before these policies are implemented.