Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed a bill which would require users to verify their age in order to gate content deemed harmful, in an apparent attempt to make the internet safer for teens.

Mandatory online age verification for social media poses a significant threat to privacy and carries inherent political dangers. Requiring users to submit government IDs, facial scans, or other sensitive personal data to access platforms creates massive databases ripe for data breaches and misuse. This not only puts individuals at risk of identity theft and surveillance but also chills free speech by eroding online anonymity, which is crucial for whistleblowers, dissidents, and marginalized communities.

Politically, such systems could enable governments to track citizens’ online activities, suppress dissent, or restrict access to information based on age or other arbitrary criteria. The broad definition of “harmful content” can easily be weaponized to censor legal speech under the guise of protecting minors. This could lead to a highly controlled internet where access to diverse viewpoints is limited, ultimately undermining democratic principles and individual liberties for all users, not just children.

It is worth it to contact our state representatives to oppose this bill on these grounds:

• Cindy Creem (MA Senate): Cynthia.Creem@masenate.gov
• Bill MacGregor (MA House of Representatives): Bill.MacGregor@mahouse.gov