Age assurance checks if someone is old enough to use digital services (such as websites and apps). There are three main ways to do this:
 | Self-declaration is a method that depends on users being honest about their age, so it is not always accurate. It is when users are asked to say that they’re over a certain age by clicking a “enter website” button, or by checking a box (for example, “I am over 18”). |
 | Age verification uses official documents to prove someone's age. This could be a passport, ID card, or electronic identification (eID). This method is more reliable than self-declaration. |
 | Age estimation tries to predict someone's age by looking at their face, how they behave, or what skills they have. Some services use AI to scan faces or give tests (like math problems) to work out how old someone is. This method can be more or less accurate depending on how it's done. Sometimes services use more than one method to get a better estimate. |
Further information and resources
Download the Age assurance toolkit here.
Age assurance and online child safety
Age assurance checks if someone is old enough to use digital services (such as websites and apps). There are three main ways to do this:
| Self-declaration is a method that depends on users being honest about their age, so it is not always accurate. It is when users are asked to say that they’re over a certain age by clicking a “enter website” button, or by checking a box (for example, “I am over 18”). |
| Age verification uses official documents to prove someone's age. This could be a passport, ID card, or electronic identification (eID). This method is more reliable than self-declaration. |
| Age estimation tries to predict someone's age by looking at their face, how they behave, or what skills they have. Some services use AI to scan faces or give tests (like math problems) to work out how old someone is. This method can be more or less accurate depending on how it's done. Sometimes services use more than one method to get a better estimate. |
Further information and resources
Download the Age assurance toolkit here.
Age assurance and online child safety
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