Privacy experts warn against mass surveillance in child safety debates

Discussions regarding age verification and identity checks on social media aim to protect children from sexual predators, but privacy experts warn of the risks of mass surveillance. Privacy expert Nora Kurzová notes that proposed solutions often seek to monitor entire populations to find criminals, rather than targeting specific individuals. She argues that anonymity is vital for whistleblowers, victims of violence, and those with minority opinions, and points out that most users are already identifiable through digital footprints left with providers and operators.

In the context of child safety, research from Palacký University Olomouc and CZ.NIC indicates that online grooming often occurs through seemingly normal conversations on platforms like Roblox, Discord, and Snapchat. The study found that among Czech students aged 13 to 17, up to 18% would meet an online acquaintance in person, while 40% were unsure. Groomers typically build trust through emotional support and intense interest in a child's life before moving to private, encrypted chats and more personal topics.