Photo: GettyOne of the world's largest pornography websites has blocked Australian users days before a deadline to introduce age-verification measures aimed at protecting children. "A child today can't walk into a bar and order a drink," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told ABC Radio on Monday. Ms Inman Grant said pornography sites using a button to ask users whether they are over 18 will no longer suffice. "There are now a dozen lawsuits in the US taking on various chatbot providers," Ms Inman Grant said. Ms Inman Grant said the social media ban has had early success, with 4.7 million accounts restricted across banned platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 09, 2026 13:50 UTC