For younger than 15 years – no social networks?

When registering on the social network, it is necessary to specify the date of birth, but whether the teenager does not lie about the age – no one checks.

« The current restriction is, but more theoretical. When creating a social network, you choose ages from the list, » said Julija Markeliūnė, a digital inclusion specialist.

Specialists are concerned that teenagers spend more and more time on social networks and that they are not protected from harmful content. France proposes to pass a law at European Union scale, which allows social networks to connect from 15 years.

Legislation would introduce the duty to check the age of consumers for platforms. The biggest question is how?

« Children can open a bank account with their parents’ consent at a young age, which could probably be found in similar options, » said J. Markeliūnė.

The French initiative has already been supported by Spain, Greece and Ireland. However, Lithuanian politicians are skeptical about the proposal. The effective implementation of the law would require a common age inspection system.

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« Different countries have already been implemented today, but unfortunately not very effective. This would require a great deal of effort and at the same time social networks themselves, » said Ekaterina Rojaka, Chairwoman of the Commission for Suicide and Violence Prevention.

« The question of how to choose: whether united throughout Europe, or yet, every state decides what age is. A very important moment or it works, » said Paulė Kuzmickienė, a member of the Social Affairs and Labor Committee.

According to politicians, it is doubtful that social networks would apply to the laws of each country, and there is a risk of data protection if the general decision was made.

« Identity documents, which, when placed on certain social networks, can certainly have much more questions about the safety of the same children, » said P. Kuzmickienė.

« How we will ensure data administration and protection, where some social networks are not even of the origin of the European Union, but have their origin in the United States, some even in China, » said Agnė Širinskienė, a member of the Law and Order Committee.

Lawyers argue that the duty to check for age cannot in any way be entrusted to social networks.

« Could we really trust that they will not use identity documents for advertising, for some purposes where those copies of the documents will be stored, how they will be protected and the like, » said Giedrė Rimkūnaitė-Manke, a lawyer at Glimstedt.

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According to the lawyer, the companies providing such services could check.

« This cooperation between a third reliable country with social networks could be a good solution, in my opinion, » said G. Rimkūnaitė-Manke.

Australia banned social networks for a law last year by the law under the age of 16. And platforms are threatened with severe sanctions.

« It is about large fines that are just up to € 30 million, » said a digital inclusion specialist.

Some MPs are convinced that the content of social networks should be maintained more strictly.

« We will probably do nothing by prohibitions alone. It seems to me that the prohibited content that is really problematic, » said Linas Kuraitis, Chairman of the Social Affairs and Labor Committee.

Experts are considering that strict bans can encourage teenagers to connect to social networks on behalf of parents or friends. In addition, underground platforms, which would be even more complex, may begin to develop.