CDT’s Aliya Bhatia and Ariana Aboulafia have collaborated on a new op-ed that was published in Teen Vogue on September 24, 2024. The article discusses the impact of age verification technology on young disabled people.
The authors argue that online communities are essential for young people with disabilities. These individuals often rely on online spaces to access information about diagnoses and healthcare, explore career options, and find companionship, community, and love. Physical barriers to accessibility, which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, make it difficult or impossible for some disabled people to gather in person. As a result, online spaces serve as crucial alternatives.
However, the authors highlight that young disabled people face the same online harms as other children. These include invasive data collection, targeted advertising that exploits their insecurities, and manipulation by bad actors. In light of Congress's ongoing efforts to protect children online, Bhatia and Aboulafia question whether current proposals adequately consider the needs of those with disabilities.
"Online communities are critical for young people with disabilities," they write. "Many disabled people rely on online spaces to get information on diagnoses and healthcare, navigate career options, and even find companionship, community, and love."
They also note: "Barriers to physical accessibility for people with disabilities — including risks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic — can make gathering in person either dangerous or impossible, making online spaces imperfect yet integral proxies."
Addressing potential harms faced by these individuals online, they state: "But young people with disabilities are vulnerable to the same online harms as other children, including invasive data collection, targeted advertising and engagement tactics that prey on their insecurities, and manipulation and exploitation by bad actors."
As Congress continues its quest to protect children online, Bhatia and Aboulafia ask: "Do the current proposals purporting to protect children help or even properly consider those with disabilities?"
