Portugal Advances Legislation to Restrict Social Media Access for Minors
Portugal’s parliament has approved a bill in its first reading that would significantly tighten social media restrictions for children, barring access for those under 13 and requiring explicit parental consent for users between the ages of 13 and 16. The legislation, spearheaded by the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) and supported by the Socialist Party (PS), aims to curb the negative impacts of unregulated internet use on youth mental health.
Under the new framework, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook will be required to implement robust age-verification systems. These systems must integrate with Portugal’s “Digital Mobile Key” (Chave Móvel Digital), a government-backed digital identity tool, to certify parental authorization. Companies that fail to comply with these verification standards could face substantial penalties, with fines reaching up to €2 million or 2% of their global annual turnover. The restrictions explicitly exempt private messaging services like WhatsApp, focusing instead on public-facing social networks.
Opposition and Privacy Concerns
The bill has sparked intense debate regarding privacy, censorship, and enforcement feasibility. The far-right Chega party voted against the measure, with leader André Ventura characterizing the proposal as “digital Stalinism.” Ventura argued that the law represents an overreach of state power intended to control public discourse rather than protect children. similarly, the Liberal Initiative (IL) opposed the bill, raising concerns that the state-mandated age verification tools could create a surveillance infrastructure that infringes on user privacy.
Critics have also questioned the technical practicality of the ban, noting that tech-savvy youths could easily bypass age gates using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The Liberal Initiative emphasized that digital literacy programs for parents and children would be a more effective solution than government-imposed bans, warning that the legislation creates a false sense of security while ignoring the realities of internet accessibility.
Global Context and Legislative Trends
Portugal’s move aligns with a growing international trend of governments stepping in to regulate youth social media usage. Australia recently enacted a strict ban for users under 16, and France has passed legislation requiring parental consent for users under 15. These legislative efforts are driven by mounting evidence linking excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and exposure to predatory behavior.
The Portuguese bill also arrives amidst broader European Union discussions on digital safety. While the EU’s Digital Services Act already imposes obligations on platforms to protect minors, individual member states are increasingly adopting stricter national laws. Portugal’s proposal now moves to a parliamentary committee for detailed review and potential amendments before a final vote is held to enact it into law.
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