On IDs for Internet Use

[lhynard]

IDs are required for many things nowadays: flying on an airline, purchasing cigarettes, entering certain bars, receiving back chemistry exams.

I wonder why it is that IDs are not required for many Internet sites. I think this would be good for many reasons.

It could prevent children from viewing inappropriate material on the Internet. Yes, it is

Comments

[lhynard]

No, silly, you would not have to drive to Facebook headquarters or any such place. You just pull out your ID number and type it in. I had to do this when purchasing my laptop. They check your ID number with the state database and verify it.

I am talking about potential laws. There are already laws against selling video games, alcohol, cigarettes, movies, rental cars, etc. to minors, but on-line, one can avoid all of that. Yes, someone has to decide on all that, but if a parnet wants a kid to see a certain R-rated movie, that parent can't take the child or buy the movie.

I realize that you can always take someone else's ID, but stealing your parent's drivers license would then force you to also use your parent's name, a form of identity theft. It would still be doable, but it would be more costly and more difficult.

[lhynard]

No, I provided my state ID number, not my student ID.

All Dell needed to do was check with state records to verify that the name attached to the state ID was the same as who I was caliming to be.

I understand the dangers, but I don't see how any of this is more dangerous than using credit card information online.

[lhynard]

Yes, I can see how it would increase the odds of identity theft. not good

[sadeyedartist]

I would hate that.