Corporations want you to assume that ID verification is inseparable from holding them accountable.

However it is entirely possible to write the law such that companies aren't required to verify user age, BUT once they have reason to believe they are providing services to an underage person they must suspend the account and investigate.

If corporations had their way we would have to upload our ID and they would be able to target children.

Don't get tricked. We can hold them accountable without giving them our personal data.

Corporations want you to assume that ID verification is inseparable from holding them accountable.

However it is entirely possible to write the law such that companies aren't required to verify user age, BUT once they have reason to believe they are providing services to an underage person they must suspend the account and investigate.

If corporations had their way we would have to upload our ID and they would be able to target children.

Don't get tricked. We can hold them accountable without giving them our personal data.

Smoking kills massive amounts of consenting adults. Far fewer now that people don't start smoking at 14 mind you. Every family member of mine that smoked started before they were 16.

I brought up smoking to illustrate the point that the existence of people subverting a ban isn't mutually exclusive to the positive outcomes. Not to draw a straight line comparison.

comparing social media to cigarettes just because both can be addictive

https://socialmediavictims.org/mental-health/suicide/

Also cigarettes are a physical drug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine

...

IMO the ban should be below 12 or 13yo, not 16. I think where we need to draw the line is children who are at risk of long term mental health damage or victimization.