Is this a ‘gate’ to porn? Crime proofing of age-verification mechanisms in Italy

The increasing availability of sexually explicit content online has sparked concerns about children’s premature exposure to pornography. In response to this, Italy has recently introduced one of the most stringent age-verification frameworks in Europe. Based on a ‘double anonymity’ system, age assurance is handled by independent third-party providers. Applying the theoretical framework of situational crime prevention, this analysis evaluates the capacity of the chosen mechanism to effectively pursue the goal set by the regulator: prohibiting minors’ access to pornographic sites. Through a criminological ex-ante assessment approach, known as crime proofing, two levels of vulnerability are identified: opportunities for circumvention, examined from the perspective of both under-age users and digital players; and unintended side effects, in particular the displacement of minors towards less regulated and potentially more harmful online spaces. This contribution suggests that technical controls alone do not ensure sustainable protection, integrated approaches are required.