Portugal’s parliament has approved a bill requiring explicit parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media, amid growing regulatory pressure on such platforms around the world.
The draft legislation, approved on its first reading, was introduced by the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP), which argued it was necessary to protect children from cyberbullying, harmful content and online predators.
Age verification
The bill is also intended to help enforce an existing ban on children under 13 from accessing such platforms.
Under the plan, parents would provide consent via a public system called Digital Mobile Key, with social media providers required to implement age-verification systems compatible with DMK.
The bill says the current regulatory environment has allowed “multinational digital platforms to set rules unilaterally” that affect children’s cognitive and emotional development.
For two decades, such companies have taken on roles previously held by families and schools, with a lack of appropriate accountability.
Accountability
“We intend to create a norm to give more power to parents and families, to accompany and control,” said PSD lawmaker Paulo Marcelo.
Australia implemented a pioneering ban on under-16s from accessing social media in December, in a move greeted with enthusiasm by parents.
France’s lower house approved similar rules in January, and the UK government said it would hold a consultation on the issue.
