THE ISSUE
Governments have mandated “safety by design,” yet outcomes remain inconsistent. Age-gating is unreliable, harmful content still reaches users, and enforcement is largely reactive. The core problem is structural:
Providers are expected to make safety decisions without reliable information about the user or the applicable regulatory context.

THE GAP
Effective online safety requires three inputs at the point of access:
1. User Age – expressed in age bands aligned to applicable regulations
2. Access Settings – limits to harm exposure according to government limits, parental directions and individual preferences
3. Jurisdictional Rules – a clear view of the applicable legal and regulatory restrictions
4. Content and Regulatory Classification – a standard method for classifying online content and services, including third-party content such as advertising
Without the right inputs safe access decisions cannot be made.

THE SOLUTION
HarmGuard provides shared infrastructure that delivers these inputs in real time. It enables providers to make correct access decisions before exposure to harmful content occurs. HarmGuard provides:
- Standardised age assurance aligned with international frameworks
- Portable user and parental safety settings
- Machine-readable regulatory rules

WHO WE ARE
HarmGuard.org is a private research organisation based in Sydney, Australia.