Is it time for internet services to adopt identity verification?

New legislation in Australia makes it illegal for those under 16 to have a social media account. To avoid financial penalties, social media companies have scrambled to remove accounts they believe breach the legislation. Notably, there are no consequences for the under-16s who attempt to create an account using a fraudulent age. As the first country to introduce such a ban, Australia has become a bit of a test case: the world is watching to see how effective the legislation is and whether it produces the desired results.

As 2026 has just begun, this also sparks a broader question for internet users and regulators alike: will this be the year the world rethinks identity online?

The status quo doesn’t work – what will?

While Australia's new age rules are rooted in concerns over the well-documented risks children face on social media platforms, the need to change the experience of ...