Add better Age Verification system
The current system on Twitch where you have Mature Audience setting, you really need to add a better Age Verification system than a button to confirm you are of age. To me this is lazy age verification, you need to have actual age verification before being allowed to watch streams that are marked for Mature Audience. It's such a simple process where you can confirm your age once with a third-party entity that can verify your actual age with official documents, so no documents are handled by Twitch directly, thus keeping the security and confidentiality of it's users sensitive information.
With proper Age Verification users don't have to be warned about mature audience streams if they've already confirmed the verification process. While also keeps those who aren't of age yet from being allowed to watch those streams. This would also protect minors on the platform, but still comply with regulations like the European GDPR on what data can be shared and collected.
As it clearly states in the ToS;
Twitch Services are not available to persons under the age of 13. If you are between the ages of 13 and the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction of residence, you may only use the Twitch Services under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms of Service.
I think it's important to protect users who aren't of age, but have parent or legal guardian who agrees to the ToS on their behalf and allowed stream on the platform.
TheAlkaris
shared this idea
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GodOfKnockers
commented
To ensure that new accounts are created by users that are of proper age, and to prevent underage users from accessing streams that are 18+ (Mature), age verification should be done via ID.me. Users can verify their age on that site (ID) ahead of time, and those existing users can link their ID.me accounts to verify that they are of age to view 18+ streams and content.
This would be a good way of making sure that accounts made can have proper access to streams based on age verification and make sure that underage users have access to streams appropriate to their age group. I also believe it would cut down on spam accounts as they would have to verify they are human and have valid ID beforehand.
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chillinwithdev
commented
So along the lines of better age verification...
I feel that a stream with the Mature Content setting turned ON should not only warn new chatters of the Mature Content setting, but should also ask for a date of birth input. Obviously this can be falsified, so to combat that - what ever date of birth the user inputs when attempting to enter a Mature Content stream chat, MUST match the exact date of birth used when creating the profile. If someone is lying about their age they most likely chose a random date or year and probably won't remember it when asked on the spot.
In any matter, some sort of extra checkpoint needs to be happening before minors come into a Mature Content stream because not only can it be annoying and problematic for the streamer, but it is primarily a safety issue for the user.
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PirateLizzie
commented
I agree with this idea, 100%! There needs to be a better system of knowing age. To keep both parties safe when online. Sure parents should be controlling what kids are going to online but not all parents are even aware of what their kid is doing. It takes that one rotten apple to ruin it for all.