The interactiveAgeCheck (iAC) debuted last week as part of the CitizenCard photo ID scheme. The system is endorsed by charities, internet retailers and web sites such as habbo.com that offer chatrooms for teens and preteens.
User information entered to an iAC-accredited site is cross-referenced with data held by CitizenCard. And iAC will work to prevent "grooming" by adults of young people in internet chatrooms, and to help verify ages for sites that sell age-restricted products such as videos or offer online gaming.
Andrew Chevis, chief executive of CitizenCard, said: "We believe iAC will make the internet a safer place for young people, adult consumers and retailers alike.
"Accreditation will allow people of the right age to access services they are entitled to, while at the same time providing an age-restriction barrier to deny access to those who should not be on the site or purchasing goods."
Support for the iAC scheme came from Home Office youth minister Hilary Benn.
He said: "We support all positive steps to assist in providing online authentication, which provides protection for consumers, peace of mind for parents and easy identification of responsible and accredited online vendors."
www.citizencard.com.
