Romania's Proposed Law: Parental Consent for Minors' Online Access

Romania Debates Online Access for Minors: A New Law Sparks Debate Romania is considering a new law that would restrict online access for minors under 16, requiring parental consent. This proposal has ignited a national conversation, with young people and adults expressing mixed opinions. The video report from Stirile Kanal D captures the essence of this debate. "It's a good idea," said one young person interviewed in the report, "but it's hard to say how they'll actually check ages." The proposed law mirrors a similar one in France, which has faced challenges in implementation. The difficulty lies in verifying the age of users without compromising their personal data. The French government is now proposing a four-step process involving an intermediary to verify age without directly accessing user data. This raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of such measures in Romania. The report also highlights the alarmingly early age at which Romanian children begin using social media, with studies showing that many start as young as five or ten years old. Two out of five children report receiving upsetting messages online. This underscores the urgency of the debate and the need for effective solutions to protect children online. The proposed law, while well-intentioned, faces significant implementation hurdles. The ongoing discussion about its practical application will undoubtedly shape the future of online safety for Romanian youth.