Internet and social media have become inescapable nowadays. However, when kids have easy access to smartphones, the internet, and social media, ensuring the safety of minors online has become a primary concern for parents, regulators, and online service providers. Recent legislative changes, including Spain’s adoption of W3C verifiable credentials for age verification and Australia’s proposal to ban social media access for children under 16, show the need for strict and privacy-preserving solid solutions.  

Here, we will discuss why W3C-verifiable credentials for online age Verification are not just a technology but a much-needed solution. 

The Need for Verifiable Credentials for Online Safety 

Obviously, the internet has become indispensable in our daily lives, and we have the freedom to do whatever we like to do on it. However, this digital freedom comes with significant risks, particularly for minors. 

According to recent statistics, over 10 billion personal records have been leaked worldwide since March 2020 due to data breaches. This indicates the need for secure methods to verify age online, which ensures that age-restricted content and services are accessed only by those legally entitled. 

Verifiable credentials (VCs), as advocated by the W3C, provide a decentralized, secure, and privacy-centric approach to this challenge. They allow individuals to prove their age without compromising their identity or privacy. 

Spain’s Adoption of VCs for Age Verification  

Spain has adopted W3C Verifiable Credentials for online age verification. In June 2024, Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation released a new protocol aimed at controlling access to adult content through an age verification system based on VCs. This system, part of the Digital Wallet BETA initiative, ensures that users can prove their age without disclosing any personally identifiable information (PII). 

The Spanish government’s initiative aligns with the principles of data minimization and privacy preservation outlined by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

The Spanish system works by issuing a verifiable credential that certifies whether a user is above or below a certain age threshold (e.g., 18 years old). When accessing restricted content online, users present this credential without revealing their full identity or other personal details. Using a Zero Knowledge Protocol not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also protects users from potential misuse of their data. This way, Spain sets a precedent for privacy-first age verification in Europe. 

Australia’s Move to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 and Role of Verifiable Credentials 

Australia is another country making moves to regulate minors’ access to online platforms. In November 2024, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to ban social media usage for children under 16 years old.   

As part of this initiative, Australia is trialling various age verification methods, including biometrics and government-issued IDs. However, these methods raise concerns about data privacy and accessibility. 

This is where W3C Verifiable Credentials can offer a better alternative. By using verifiable credentials, Australian authorities can implement a decentralized and privacy-respecting system where minors can prove their age without exposing sensitive personal information. 

For example, instead of requiring a full ID scan or biometric data, a minor could present a verifiable credential that simply confirms whether they meet the minimum age requirement for social media access. Social media platforms could verify the age of users without collecting or storing sensitive personal information, thus aligning with privacy laws and user expectations for data protection. 

VCs also address concerns about accessibility since they do not require users to possess government-issued IDs or undergo intrusive biometric scans. This makes them an ideal solution for countries like Australia that are looking to balance security with user privacy. 

EveryCRED’s W3C Verifiable Credentials Can Be Helpful Here  

EveryCRED is an ecosystem in the issuance and verification of digital credentials. We offer solutions that perfectly embody the principles of W3C VCs. Our system allows organizations to issue verifiable credentials for various purposes, including age verification, using decentralized identity methods. 

For businesses looking to implement age verification systems, EveryCRED can be beneficial: 

1. Privacy Preservation: Users can share only the necessary information (e.g., proof of being over 18) without revealing their full identity. 
2. Security: We use cryptography to ensure that credentials cannot be altered or forged. 
3. Zero Knowledge Proofs: We offer this securing mechanism that allows users to prove their age without disclosing the actual value and helps the company to be compliant. 
4. Interoperability: We serve various industries—from e-commerce to healthcare—making it versatile enough to handle different types of verification needs. 
5. Ease of Integration: Businesses can easily integrate EveryCRED’s API into their existing systems, and our team will make it easier for them. 

For instance, an e-commerce platform selling age-restricted products could use our solution to verify customers’ ages without storing sensitive personal information on their servers.  

Final Words  

As online safety and privacy become fundamental for legislation worldwide, W3C Verifiable Credentials stand out as a perfect solution for age verification online and offline. 

VCs offer a way to balance the need for age confirmation with the imperative of privacy protection. With the use of blockchain and decentralized identity, VCs provide a secure, scalable, efficient, and future-ready approach to online age verification. Businesses, therefore, not only meet regulatory requirements but also build a trust-based relationship with their users. Contact EveryCRED to learn how you can integrate our solutions into your business.