Information

Age-Based Restrictions On the Web: Advancing the Discussion
  • Upcoming
  • Confirmed
  • Breakout Sessions

Meeting

Event details

Date:
– UTC
Status:
Confirmed
Location:
Online
Proposers:
Tara Whalen
Participants:
Ines Akrap, Paula Bernardi, Sarven Capadisli, Denken Chen, François Daoust, Elina Eickstädt, Reilly Grant, Ivan Herman, Dennis Jackson, Philippe Le Hegaret, Samantha Lloyd, Coralie Mercier, Theresa O'Connor, Ondřej Pokorný, Evan Prodromou, Beatriz Rocha, Christine Runnegar, Benjamin VanderSloot, Kevin White, Chris Wilson, Svea Windwehr
Big meeting:
W3C Breakouts Day 2026 (Calendar)

Many jurisdictions have enacted (or are currently enacting) regulations on age-based restrictions to online content. These regulations, and their requirements, can have significant effects on technical architectures and on end users. Some proposed solutions may be misaligned with such core web principles as privacy, interoperability, and freedom of expression. Given this potential threat to a healthy web, and the need for collaboration among many stakeholders to address the challenges of online safety, we propose that W3C should provide a forum where these issues can be discussed among a diverse group of experts. In this session, we will present an initial proposal for bringing together technologists, policymakers, and other interested parties to examine these issues in depth. One concrete outcome from this breakout could be the creation of a W3C Community Group which could address the specific web-related conversations on age restrictions. Community Groups enable anyone to gather at W3C to socialize ideas, including topics that involve coordination as complex as this one. We are already involved through the October 2025 W3C/IAB workshop on Age-Based Restrictions on Content, and activities in groups such as the Privacy Working Group; we are well-positioned to offer the necessary forum for the community to figure out where and when to take the next steps.

Goal(s):
Get feedback from the web community on a proposal for advancing the technical and policy discussions about age-based restrictions to online content, including new ideas, potential opportunities, ways to promote collaboration, and obstacles to avoid.

Agenda

Materials:

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