More Data on Online Age Authentication Balk Rates

Created by ChatGPT May 2026 In a prior post, I surveyed the rates at which consumers do not complete online age authentication processes, what I call the “balk” rate. There is no single canonical balk rate. It varies by destination behind the authentication wall, the method of authentication, demographics, and many other factors. In my prior post, I mentioned a study from a mostly Carnegie Mellon team. I had seen a summary of the study, but the full study has now been posted. It’s worth digging into the details a little deeper. Balk Rates by Modality In the context of trying to complete the academic study, this chart summarizes the study participants’ balk rates by authentication modality: Note 1: “checkbox” is self-attestation. That’s not credibly considered “authentication.” Note 2: the email option said the process “analyzes the email’s registration source, associated employer information, and linked financial activities such as mortgages, credit cards, educational records, and…