The following is my suggestion to Valve and similar launchers and even browsers to protect kids without removing legal content from adults. With it being more secure and harder for kids to bypass.

I present:

The Age Verification Device. Or AVD for short.

- Must be purchased with an ID scan online, with in person options existing. Ex. Gamestop, Walmart,
etc. *They might not ask for ID for in person purchase if you look adult, though they could require it later.*

- The device would be a simple USB device that, when first plugged into an appropriate device would prompt an Activation window.

- Said activation window would request an Activation code, which would have either been sent via Email if given. OR printed on a receipt upon purchase. *Similar format to a steam card code*

- It would also request a birthday, which upon entering it it. The device would become active, optionally linked to the user's email. *Could mandate the email for added insurance later on*

- It would also bind the current date, gathered via online connection to avoid system bypasses of the clock.

- The Only Information stored on the device would be: "Birthday of the User, Date/Time of Activation, Unique On-Board identifier, and possible Email" *If it's to verify age it should NOT require a name or address of the person's home.*

-Could also add additional security options such as requiring a password or pin to complete verification every time, to ensure no kid just steals the device or you leave it plugged in. *Can not be pasted into the prompt. Must be typed in. But can be simple as a 5 digit number code that possibly needs to be changed after some time*

- Anytime you try to view a kid Inappropriate content, you would be prompted with: "Please Insert AVD into USB port now to continue" *Maybe have it auto eject if plugged in for too long to avoid parents just leaving it in.* Yeah don't even say WHAT AVD is in the prompt.

- Once you are on the site, or even browser after the AVD was verified you can continue to view it as long as you don't refresh it. Or after a given time. While for games, it would be as long as you are playing it. But if it closes or crashes? You'd have to plug it back in when launching it.

- The Launchers or browsers could also reserve the right to REVOKE the device's verification if they find the user isn't genuine, OR if they suspect you gave access to someone else. *Basically the AVD would no longer work at all until it gets sent back to the company for a full reset*. Repeat offenders would be BANNED from buying the device again, while game launcher that it was bound to would be locked to kid friendly games only. Anything rated lower than T.


After all... Birthdays are a popular way to verify one's age, but simply typing one in can easily be done, and lied about.. But if it's bound to a physical device that has to be bought with an ID... Much harder.

I don't know about anyone else, but I for one would definitely buy that as an alternative to using an ID directly.

Well that and re-loadable steam cards, since that would be amazing.