Amazon, one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, is facing serious allegations after a new study claimed the company is violating state laws by allowing minors to purchase dangerous and age-restricted products online. According to the investigation, Amazon’s current system lacks the necessary safeguards to prevent underage buyers from accessing hazardous items — a finding that has sparked concern among parents, lawmakers, and safety advocates.
This report, released by the Children’s Advocacy Institute (CAI) at the University of San Diego School of Law, points to significant flaws in Amazon’s age verification process. It suggests that the company may not be doing enough to comply with laws designed to protect minors from harmful products. This accusation has reignited the broader debate around online safety and the responsibilities of e-commerce platforms in regulating access to sensitive goods.
What the Study Revealed
The CAI study focused on Amazon’s practices in relation to California state law, particularly laws that regulate the sale of products considered hazardous to minors. These include items like BB guns, industrial-strength chemicals, body branding kits, UV tanning devices, spray paint, and etching cream — all of which are subject to age restrictions.
Researchers found that minors were able to bypass Amazon’s security and verification measures with relative ease. In many cases, simply entering a false date of birth was enough to proceed with a purchase. The platform, according to the study, does not require rigorous ID checks or enforce adult signatures upon delivery for many of these restricted items. This means that even though some steps may be in place, they are not strict enough to prevent underage access in real-world scenarios.
Worse still, the study emphasized that these purchases can often be completed without a parent or guardian ever knowing. With many families sharing Amazon accounts or using shared devices, it becomes difficult to track who is actually making a purchase — raising further concerns about oversight and accountability.
How Amazon Responded
In response to the accusations, Amazon has defended its policies, stating that safety and customer trust are top priorities. The company said its platform is not intended for unsupervised use by minors, and that it clearly outlines in its terms of service that users must be adults or have adult supervision when shopping.
Amazon also mentioned that for age-restricted items, customers are required to enter their birthdate and, in some cases, provide a valid ID for verification. If a customer is found to have submitted false information, the company claims to investigate and take appropriate action.
However, critics argue that Amazon’s system relies too heavily on the honesty of the user. Without a more secure and mandatory ID verification process, minors can easily fake their age to access dangerous products. The concern is not just about what policies are in place — it’s about how effectively those policies are enforced.
Lawmakers Push for Action
In light of the study’s findings, California lawmakers are taking steps to tighten regulations and hold online retailers more accountable. One notable proposal is Senate Bill 659, known as the Parent’s Accountability and Child Protection Act. This bill aims to give parents the right to sue online platforms if their children are harmed after purchasing dangerous products illegally. It also seeks to introduce harsher penalties for companies that do not comply with existing state laws.
Senator Eloise Reyes, who introduced the bill, emphasized the urgent need for stronger protections. She noted that big tech companies like Amazon must be held responsible when their platforms enable underage access to products that can cause serious harm. Reyes stressed that profits should never come at the expense of children’s safety.
Past Incidents Highlight a Pattern
This isn’t the first time Amazon has faced criticism over product safety. Over the past few years, several reports have surfaced about the sale of illegal or unsafe items on the platform — many of them listed by third-party sellers. In some cases, children’s products sold through Amazon were found to contain harmful chemicals or fail to meet federal safety standards.
These incidents have raised concerns about Amazon’s ability to regulate the vast number of products sold on its marketplace. While the company has made efforts to implement stricter policies for sellers, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent and largely reactive.
The latest study only adds to the growing list of concerns. It suggests that Amazon’s efforts, while well-intentioned, may still fall short when it comes to protecting young users from harm.
Why Age Verification Matters
Robust age verification systems are not just a regulatory requirement — they are a critical component of public safety. Physical stores have long been required to check IDs before selling age-restricted products, such as alcohol, tobacco, or certain chemicals. The same principle should apply to online retailers, especially when the risks are just as severe.
When minors are allowed to purchase potentially dangerous items, the consequences can be severe. BB guns and other air-powered weapons have been linked to numerous injuries among teens and children. Chemicals like etching cream or spray paint can cause burns, respiratory issues, or even be used for harmful pranks. UV tanning devices, when misused, pose long-term health risks such as skin damage and increased cancer risk.
The point isn’t to demonize all of these products — many of them have legitimate uses for adults. But when placed in the hands of minors without supervision, the risks multiply. Online retailers have a responsibility to prevent these scenarios from happening in the first place.
What Needs to Change
To effectively tackle the issue, experts recommend a combination of technology, enforcement, and education. Here are a few key changes Amazon and other online retailers could adopt:
- Stronger ID Verification: Requiring government-issued ID uploads and using facial recognition or third-party verification services can help confirm the buyer’s age more accurately.
- Mandatory Adult Delivery Signatures: Ensuring that a responsible adult signs for age-restricted deliveries would add an extra layer of protection.
- Improved Monitoring of Sellers: Regular audits and stricter controls on third-party sellers could help prevent restricted items from slipping through the cracks.
- Parental Controls and Alerts: Allowing account holders to set limits or receive alerts when potentially risky items are added to the cart could empower families to monitor purchases more effectively.
- Clearer Labels and Warnings: Making it obvious that a product is restricted, and explaining why, could deter minors from attempting to purchase it.
The Bigger Picture
The issue at hand goes beyond just one company or one law. As online shopping becomes more common, so do the risks associated with it. Children today are growing up in a world where buying nearly anything — from gadgets to chemicals — is just a few clicks away. That convenience must be balanced with safety.
Amazon’s size and influence give it the power to lead by example. If it strengthens its systems and takes more aggressive steps to block underage purchases, other e-commerce platforms may follow suit. But if it fails to act, it sets a dangerous precedent — one that could put more children at risk.
The responsibility doesn’t lie with Amazon alone. Parents, lawmakers, and regulators all have roles to play in creating a safer digital environment. But when a platform facilitates millions of purchases a day, it carries a unique burden to ensure those purchases don’t lead to harm.
Final Thoughts
The study accusing Amazon of allowing minors to buy dangerous items shines a light on a growing problem in the world of online retail. While Amazon maintains that it has safeguards in place, the effectiveness of those safeguards is now being called into question.
As pressure mounts from lawmakers, safety advocates, and concerned parents, Amazon and other e-commerce giants will need to reevaluate their practices. Protecting children from harm must take precedence over convenience and profit.
Strong age verification, clear accountability, and proactive policies are no longer optional — they are essential in an increasingly digital world. The safety of the next generation may very well depend on how quickly these changes are made.
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