Spain readies age-checking tech to protect children from adult online content

FILE PHOTO: Spain't Minister of Education Pilar Alegria walks outside Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain is developing age verification technology to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content online such as pornography or gambling sites, the head of the data protection agency said on Thursday.

Concern about the impact of pornographic, violent and other harmful material on youths still developing their identity and empathy is growing worldwide, as digitalisation and smartphones have made access easier.