Age verification pages on websites are insane to me. They are the equivalent to a blind, deaf, paralyzed old woman working the door of a nightclub. They baffle me. It’s the ultimate example of going through the motions…Obviously the alcohol companies don’t have much of a choice in the matter, so you can’t fault them. Here are ten age verification screens for your viewing pleasure.
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tags: absolut • age verification • guinness • jagermeister • johnnie walker • makers mark • online • patron • rolling rock • stella artois • veuve clicquot • yellow tail
Comments 
Rob | Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I was told that these screens are not actually required by the TTB (the federal governing body) of Alcohol in the States?
They are a segment of the code of responsible practices set forth by organizations like Discus. http://www.discus.org/pdf/61332_DISCUS.pdf
Discus is an organization of large (Diageo, Brown Forman, etc…) that has created this code. Taken straight from the website:
“DISCUS members are committed to the responsible
placement and content of their brand communications.
The overriding principle of our Code is to market our
products to adults in a responsible and appropriate manner.
Towards this end, DISCUS members pledge voluntarily
to conduct their advertising and marketing practices
in the United States in accordance with the provisions of
this Code.”
Meaning if you are not a member of such organization there is nothing requiring you to put these screens on your site. Most (99.9%) still do, just to be safe.
Chuck P. | Thursday, July 30, 2009
This blows my mind, like anyone that is not 21 can’t figure out how to beat this. 12 year olds can crash entire computer systems. Lets educate our children not ignore there existence.
Manatee Eater | Friday, July 31, 2009
I usually put in random numbers .. but then sometimes it will take me to a second screen and again ask me to verify what year I was born. But I can’t remember. Checkmate.
El Jefe | Sunday, August 2, 2009
These age pages are wrong on so many levels:
- An under-21 person is not going to gain direct access to an alcoholic beverage by visiting a web site, at least until someone actually invents that USB-spigot.
- What they are going to gain by visiting is knowledge. Gaining knowledge is not supposed to be a bad thing, right? (I especially get a kick out of those winery web sites with the age page, protecting minors from their dangerous recipes.)
- The only place age control makes any sense is at the point of sale or delivery. We have those controls in place already via ID checks. Don’t hand alcohol over to anyone not old enough to receive it. (It’s taking all my will power to not type “duh”. Oops.)
- An age page enables a company to say “see? we’re doing something to prevent underage drinking!” BS. It’s meaningless propaganda (also see shoe inspections, above.) Sorry commenter Rob, there’s no safety to be gained.
- The biggest laugh is that the practice is totally counter-productive to effective web marketing. Search engine crawlers don’t have an age and don’t fill out forms; therefore the site isn’t indexed!
The thing that scares me is that some do-gooders will come along and force us all to wear these handcuffs, in the sole interest of feeling good.
Alan Kropf | Sunday, August 2, 2009
Damn fine points Mr. el Jefe, damn fine indeed!
10 Age Verification Screens | Mutineer Magazine | Wednesday, August 26, 2009
[...] View post: 10 Age Verification Screens | Mutineer Magazine [...]
Prank Your Friends Using The Captain Morgan Voicemail Tool | Mutineer Magazine | Thursday, August 27, 2009
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Freelance Web Designer | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The page screens are good!!
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[...] greeted (and blown away) by one of the Morganettes wanting to check my id. Hands down the coolest age verification on the [...]