CSAM: Is It Time To Age Gate The Internet?

As digital platforms cater to an ever-increasing user base, service providers and regulators are increasingly cognizant of the addictive nature of the services online, and their delivery to the end users. Children are now the focal point of discussions attending practices, which has catapulted regulatory scrutiny and policy-making initiatives.

The precipitation of digital support structure, owing to the social distancing measures and onset of Covid-19 related lockdowns, was felt across social media channels, digital gaming, online chatrooms, wearable and connected devices. The mere ease and convenience afforded by these "alternatives" induced reliance, dependance and consequential addiction to these new trends. For children, these changes are more pronounced, and seemingly renders them susceptible to irreversible physical, psychological, social, and economic harms.