A button that says “I'm 18”, a tick box or a date-of-birth field asks the visitor. It doesn't check anything. Here is what three regulators say about that kind of gate, in their own words and with links.
Ofcom's guidance (16 Jan 2025) lists self-declaration of age as not capable of being highly effective age assurance, and lists methods it says can be, such as facial age estimation, photo-ID matching and credit-card checks.
JMStV § 4 Abs. 2 asks for a closed user group that ensures only adults have access. The KJM, which assesses such systems, describes a two-step model: identify the person once, then authenticate them at each use.
Sources: JMStV § 4 (checked 14 Oct 2026) · Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz (KJM)
Arcom's référentiel (adopted 9 Oct 2024) sets minimum technical requirements for the reliability of age checks. During a three-month transition, Arcom said services could use bank-card solutions.
Sources: Arcom: référentiel announcement (11 Oct 2024, checked 2 Nov 2026)
Ofcom's guidance (16 Jan 2025, checked 12 Oct 2026) lists self-declaration, including tick boxes and date-of-birth fields without evidence, as not capable of being highly effective age assurance. Whether the UK rules apply to your site is set by s. 80 of the Online Safety Act. A lawyer can confirm whether that's you.
JMStV § 4 Abs. 2 asks for a closed user group that ensures only adults have access. A button doesn't identify the visitor. The KJM's assessments describe what such systems do. A lawyer can confirm whether that's you.
Arcom's référentiel (9 Oct 2024) sets minimum technical requirements for age-verification systems on services offering pornographic content. A self-declared click doesn't verify age. A lawyer can confirm whether that's you.
Ofcom doesn't approve individual providers; it describes kinds of method. The KJM publishes positively assessed concepts on its website. Ask any provider which assessment covers their product.
Not legal advice. This page summarises and links to primary sources; it does not tell you what the law requires of your specific site.