What is the point of age restricted areas

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Okay, so I'm thinking......

Right, okay, it's good to have age restricted areas to discuss things etc.
However, then of course, I realise that the difference between less than 17 and over 17 can simply be putting a false date of birth. This then invalidates and makes the whole age thing pointless.

So, I know it's present on many websites, but it's such a bypassable shield that it is effectively nothing more than a pain for those who want to read a page.

Thoughts please?

Also, we all know that there are plenty of people who easily can act over 17, so won't be detected.

It's just on principle - just a formality and nothing more, everybody knows it works like that

That's the way that the real world works. A 17 year old can't get into a pub.

There are possibly legal reasons for having an age restricted section too. Young kids can't just accidentally go in there and read sexually explicit threads without lying about their age.

I'm pretty sure the logic behind age restrictions, is to protect from (insert fear here) happening to vulnerable, impressionable children. Now we all know the real world and logic don't coexist - but, what's one to do about it?

I know that any responsible website owner does not want underage kids reading sexually explicit material. It's basically just nothing more than the website showing good intent in law.

Meanwhile, those underage kids, who won't be interested in reading text, will be fully able to access the other 99.9% of the internet's more diverse video imagery within about 10 seconds, depending on their typing skill. Still that's not anyone's fault but those naughty unlocked websites, not that I know any of their names or anything like that....

So, yes I understand that we have to show good intentions as adults and with responsibility comes more layers for us to navigate.

EDIT

Oops, and yes, I forgot that, the age requirement will dissuade any casual surfing under-agers who can't be bothered to delve.

Back in the day, we had to find some father's stash of men's magazines to look at naked pictures of women when we got curious. Kids today have it so easy. Man, I think that is the first time I've ever said that. Our snow drifts blew in both directions too.