Access to online pornography and wagering would be restricted through mandatory age verification under the recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs presented today. The recommendations were made in its report Protecting the age of innocence, following the Committee’s inquiry into the potential role of age verification in protecting children and young people from exposure to online wagering and online pornography.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 5 March 2020

Access to online pornography and wagering would be restricted through mandatory age verification under the recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs presented today. The recommendations were made in its report Protecting the age of innocence, following the Committee’s inquiry into the potential role of age verification in protecting children and young people from exposure to online wagering and online pornography. In its report the Committee has recommended that the eSafety Commissioner and the Digital Transformation Agency take the lead on further work towards implementing a system of mandatory age verification for online wagering and pornography in Australia. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, says that, like thousands of members of the public who made submissions to this inquiry, the Committee was deeply concerned about the extent to which young people are accessing or being exposed to potentially harmful content on the internet. ‘The evidence was clear that exposure to online pornography is associated with terrible harms to young people’s health, education, relationships, and wellbeing. The Committee also heard that exposure to internet wagering at a young age can lead to problem gambling later in life,’ Mr Wallace said. ‘While age verification is not a silver bullet, it can create a significant barrier to prevent young people—and particularly young children—from exposure to harmful online content. We must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.’ The Committee acknowledges the high level of public interest in the inquiry, having received over 3000 contributions, and thanks all of the individuals and organisations who engaged with the inquiry. A full copy of the Committee’s report can be found on the inquiry’s website. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold two public hearings for its inquiry into age verification for online pornography and online wagering.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 4 December 2019

  This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold two public hearings for its inquiry into age verification for online pornography and online wagering. On Thursday, 5 December, the Committee will hear from witnesses about progress in the United Kingdom towards an age-verification system for online pornography. On Friday, 6 December, the Committee will hear from a range of government, industry, and community organisations about existing age-verification systems in Australia and opportunities to give greater protection to children and young people online. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, says the Committee is keen to hear from witnesses about the details of how age-verification systems work in practice. “These hearings are an opportunity for the Committee to hear about the different technologies available for online age verification, as well as how these approaches seek to address community concerns and minimise risks or unintended consequences.” Further information, including hearing programs and submissions to the inquiry, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 5 December 2019 Time: 7.00pm to 8.30pm Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra Date: Friday, 6 December 2019 Time: 8.00am to 4.00pm Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

With 44 per cent of children between 9 and 16 reporting that they have encountered sexual images online, a parliamentary committee has launched an inquiry into the effectiveness of age verification systems on pornographic and gambling websites.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 11 September 2019

With 44 per cent of children between 9 and 16 reporting that they have encountered sexual images online, a parliamentary committee has launched an inquiry into the effectiveness of age verification systems on pornographic and gambling websites. Andrew Wallace, Chair of the Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee, says there is currently a discrepancy between age verification requirements for online gambling and online pornography. ‘While customers must verify their age within 14 days to continue using an online wagering account, an age verification process is not required at all for customers to access online pornography’, Mr Wallace said. ‘This is concerning, as research shows that accessing pornography negatively influences young peoples’ attitudes to sex, sexuality and relationships.’ The Committee will examine the effectiveness of the age verification measures now in place for online wagering in Australia, and the possibility of introducing a similar process to verify the age of users of online pornography. The Committee acknowledges that accessing online wagering from operators licensed in Australia and online pornography from appropriately classified websites is a legal activity for people aged over 18. The focus of this inquiry is not the legitimate use of online wagering and online pornography. The Committee welcomes submissions from all people and organisations with insights or perspectives on how online age verification can be made as effective as possible, to prevent children accessing wagering and pornography sites. Submissions to the inquiry are now open. More information on making a submission, and the inquiry’s full terms of reference, are available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au