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HOW MOBILE IDENTITY CAN TRANSFORM CHILD SAFETY IN DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT
Paresh Modi, Senior Director, GSMA Fusion
Digital entertainment and social media brands are facing new challenges, as stricter global laws demand more accurate age verifi cation without compromising user experience or privacy. Failure to get age verifi cation right now carries real risks – for user safety, regulatory compliance and brand trust. According to global research, 40% of
children aged 8-17 lie about their age to access apps and platforms. That’s hundreds of millions of underage users bypassing controls and accessing content not meant for them.
As the digital world becomes more pervasive in children’s lives – whether through streaming entertainment or gaming – platforms must verify ages quickly, securely, and accurately, without adding friction.
THE MOBILE OPPORTUNITY Traditionally, age checks rely on forms and document uploads – methods that disrupt the user journey and fail to meet real-time expectations. And even when age checks are in place, children fi nd ways around them, as
the European Parliamentary Research Service notes: “Younger children have no problem bypassing the EU age requirements put in place by services such as social media.”
“As SMS verifi cation falters under fraud and fake traffi c, network- based authentication offers a more secure, scalable foundation”
The mobile industry is working with online entertainment fi rms on a compelling solution. Network operators hold real-time authentication capabilities that can help verify age and identity without the friction of traditional methods. It’s not about replacing existing tools – it’s about augmenting them with trusted data from the network layer. Operators now offer network-based APIs (going way beyond SMS two-factor authentication) to verify attributes like age and device status securely and privately in real time, enabling entertainment platforms to ensure age compliance and detect anomalies while maintaining seamless UX.
APIS BUILT FOR TRUST, NOT JUST TECH Our GSMA Fusion team are working with social media, streaming and gaming platforms and the mobile industry to tailor Open Gateway APIs. This includes services like Know Your Customer Age Verifi cation, Number Verify and Device Location to build trust, enforce age rules and streamline onboarding. As SMS verifi cation falters under fraud and fake traffi c, network-based authentication offers a more secure, scalable foundation – key to deeply embedding identity and consent in digital entertainment.
LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS Age assurance is just one area where smart use of mobile networks can support the media, entertainment and broadcast industries. But, at IBC2025, we’re also discussing how 5G standalone mobile networks and Open Gateway APIs (such as Quality on Demand) enable other services such as real-time streaming, multi- angle viewing, live polls, and smart venue experiences – from mobile ticketing to in-seat ordering.
ADD A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC WITH NEW FILTER FAMILY
Hangzhou Yinben Photoelectric BY DAVID FOX
Yinben is showing Black Magic fi lters, for highlight control and shadow detail preservation, and Classic Soft fi lters, aimed at softening skin texture and enhancing period aesthetics. Thanks to advanced coating technology, Black Magic fi lters effectively suppress highlight clipping (such as starburst effects
ideal for sci-fi or noir fi lms requiring a cold yet nuanced aesthetic.
Filter tipped: Yinben’s Orange Streak, Black Magic and Star fi lters
from point light sources) while retaining shadow gradation, preserving detail in the darkest areas.
Unlike conventional diffusion
fi lters, Black Magic fi lters achieve a subtle contrast reduction, creating an organic fi lmic texture,
The Classic Soft fi lters soften skin imperfections without sacrifi cing resolution, making them ideal for mitigating the harshness of close- ups or replicating the halation of vintage lenses. One of their diffusion properties is to produce natural blooming (such as warm halation in backlighting), giving a painterly quality to period scenes. 12.B36
OPINION
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