Kids Use Trump and Markiplier Images to Beat Gorilla Tag's Age Check | New Controversy Emerges
Edited By
Oliver Schmidt
A group of players is finding creative loopholes to bypass the age verification system in the popular VR game Gorilla Tag. This has sparked controversy as children reportedly use images of figures like Donald Trump and YouTuber Markiplier to dodge restrictions meant to protect young users online.
The Situation Unfolds
Gorilla Tag is facing scrutiny. Due to rising regulations aimed at enhancing child safety in online spaces, the game introduced a face scanning verification system. Players need to verify their age with a selfie, leading some children to employ what’s been termed the "Markiplier method."
"If you need to make a parent account just point your camera at a video of Markiplier speaking and it will verify you lol," one user noted on a forum.
While the intent behind these age restrictions is to keep kids safe, some parents express frustration over the complexities of parental controls. One parent lamented, "I made a kids account for my 10-year-old and he couldn’t play anything at all."
Users Speak Up
In discussions on user boards, players detail methods to bypass facial recognition using VPNs. They change their location to the UK, where regulations differ. It's a controversial workaround as the age verification system faces backlash for potential privacy concerns.
The sentiment is mixed. While children are looking for ways around the system, parents argue for safer gaming environments:
"Protect your data, kids," a user cautioned.
Others pointed out, "The kind of games where mostly kids play is where the predators lurk."
Community Reactions
The reactions from the community show a divide:
Positive Sentiment: Many kids seem to enjoy the freedom to navigate the game.
Negative Sentiment: Concerns about privacy linger, especially regarding the collection of minors' data.
Key Takeaways
🚨 Kids are circumventing verification processes using images of public figures.
📉 NEARLY 90% of Gorilla Tag's players are children under 13, raising questions about safety and community dynamics.
💬 "This sets a dangerous precedent," stated a top-voted comment reflecting community concern.
As the age verification requirement continues to play out, both developers and parents are left grappling with the implications of such regulations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Each new twist in this story highlights the struggles of maintaining safety while preserving the freedom to play.
What’s Next for Age Verification in Gaming?
There’s a strong chance that Gorilla Tag and similar games will tighten their age verification processes in response to these loopholes. Experts estimate around 70% of developers may introduce more robust methods, including advanced facial recognition technology and possibly even identity verification through parental accounts. The feedback from the community suggests that parents will demand stricter controls to protect their kids as concerns over data privacy grow. Moreover, with regulators increasingly scrutinizing gaming platforms, we may see legislative moves that require all online games targeted at minors to implement more secure verification systems, increasing the pressure on developers.
A Surprising Echo from the Past
This scenario mirrors the reaction to early social media platforms like Facebook, where teens often lied about their ages to gain access. Just as Facebook adapted to these behaviors by enhancing privacy settings and verifying identities, gaming developers now face a similar challenge. In both cases, the urge for connection among younger people drove them to exploit loopholes, pushing platforms to create stricter safeguards. The need for digital space often collides with safety measures, revealing a classic struggle between the freedom of exploration and the responsibility of protection—a challenge that technology continues to grapple with today.