ConnectSafely co-founder Larry Magid explores the ramifications of age verification in a new column.
Age verification doesn't solve all problems
In the piece, Larry writes: "ConnectSafely.org is happy to be a member of a recently formed Internet Safety Technical Task Force, but it has caused me to feel a bit of a disconnect. One of the major goals of the task force is to explore whether it’s possible to use technology to verify the age of people signing up for social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to give parents more control over whether their kids can use these services and to avoid inappropriate online contact between kids and adults. Yet, the first four experts to address the task force painted a picture that causes me to wonder if such technology would be helpful even if it could be employed."
What do you think? Would you support private companies accessing children’s social security or school records in order to verify their age?
Thanks,
Maureen
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Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely forum manager
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mswatchdog_com
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May 7, 2008 2:09 PM
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Thanks for posting this, Maureen. It was an interesting read.
I have to agree with Larry that even if there was an exception made for a select few private organizations to access this sensitive information, it would be a step backward in total personal information security.
Isn't the point to prudently retain as much private information as possible? Good stuff. I'll definitely be keepin an eye on where this is going.
Thanks again!
Joshua
MSWatchdog.com
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Maureen
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May 6, 2008 3:03 PM
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ConnectSafely co-founder Larry Magid explores the ramifications of age verification in a new column.
Age verification doesn't solve all problems
In the piece, Larry writes: "ConnectSafely.org is happy to be a member of a recently formed Internet Safety Technical Task Force, but it has caused me to feel a bit of a disconnect. One of the major goals of the task force is to explore whether it’s possible to use technology to verify the age of people signing up for social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to give parents more control over whether their kids can use these services and to avoid inappropriate online contact between kids and adults. Yet, the first four experts to address the task force painted a picture that causes me to wonder if such technology would be helpful even if it could be employed."
What do you think? Would you support private companies accessing children’s social security or school records in order to verify their age?
Thanks,
Maureen
~
Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely forum manager
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