Adults Overwhelmingly Believe Children Need Age-Based Online Protections, Common Sense Media Research Finds
"Age Assurance Attitudes Among Adults" finds that with support for age assurance comes concerns regarding privacy, data security, and whether age verification systems can be effective.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2026—Common Sense Media today released a new survey revealing that an overwhelming 95% of adults believe children need to be protected from certain online material and features, with pornography, gambling, and online purchases emerging as top concerns. Among other findings, more than six in 10 adults support age verification for social media and online games, while more than half support it for AI, including AI companions.
"At a time when numerous countries, and some U.S. states, are implementing or introducing age-based social media bans, our findings reveal overwhelming support from adults in the U.S. for smart, privacy-protective policies to ensure that what kids experience online is safe for them," said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer.
While most adults support age assurance, many have questions about its implementation. Thirty-five percent are concerned about privacy and data security when it comes to age verification systems, and nearly a third are concerned that age verification systems will be easy to bypass.
"Kids deserve age-appropriate online experiences, and parents deserve a reliable way to keep their kids safe. Common Sense Media looks forward to building on our recent progress on age assurance as we continue our mission to protect and prepare families in the digital age," Steyer said.
The research brief's other key findings include:
- Eighty percent of adults are concerned about companies permanently storing children's age data, with almost half indicating they are "very concerned."
- Eighty-six percent are concerned about children's age information being sold or shared, with more than half indicating they are "very concerned."
- Forty-five percent are "very concerned" that children will find ways around age verification, while more than one in three indicate that they are only "somewhat concerned."
- One in five are "very concerned" about age verification being too complicated, while one in three are somewhat concerned about the same.
Common Sense Media supported legislation authored by California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks to establish an age signaling system that would keep children safe online while protecting their privacy. Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law in October 2025.
The full research brief can be found here.
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate for policies to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.
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