Some children are drawing on fake moustaches to bypass online age checks, UK report finds

[usonian]

Last edited Tue May 5, 2026, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)

A third of children in the UK have bypassed age verification gates, research from Internet Matters suggests

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/children-bypassing-age-verification-social-media-b2968803.html

Children are drawing on moustaches and entering fake birthdays to bypass online age gates and access social media and gaming platforms, a new report has suggested.

It found more than a third of children in the UK have found a way around age verification measures implemented as part of the Online Safety Act, which requires all pornographic sites, social media and online platforms likely to be accessed by children to check their age.

Social media websites usually require children to be at least 13, and users of pornographic sites must be over 18.

The new research suggests one in six parents have helped their child to get past age verification checks, with children reporting “tricking” platforms into thinking they are older.

Now, let me share some computer geek secrets with you. begin{satire}

Kids have access to AI tools that run on the home computer to fake SFW images.

Here is an example of a couple of 4th graders altering their appearance for print or projection onto the Big Brother age-check machine.



And the TOP SECRET TRICK kids use.

Inserting a Bingo card or Accordion in the photo will bypass EVERY DAMN AGE CHECK system. end{satire}

[RockRaven]

1. Oddly common user name on UK websites: Guy Incognito

[usonian]

2. How can I check for Anne Onymous