Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
MP Demetris Demetriou has proposed raising the minimum age for accessing social media from 14 to 16 years.
Demetriou, a member of parliament for the Democratic Rally party (DISY), announced the proposal during an interview on the Alpha Kalimera TV programme. The measure would prevent children under 16 from using social media platforms directly.
Demetriou said that Greece is advancing a similar practice for 15-year-olds, noting that both Greece and Cyprus must ensure verification systems prevent false declarations of age.
“We must simultaneously, with the voting of this legislation, utilise or create tools, digital tools, that will verify this age,” he said.
He noted that Greece has already developed such applications.
The MP explained the rationale behind the proposed legislative change by pointing to adults’ limited self-control when using social media platforms.
“The dangers that children face, who may not have been trained empirically, like older people, to confront these dangers, whether it is bullying, sexual harassment, brainwashing for various products, etc., you understand that the level of self-control of children is much lower,” he said.
The House Legal Affairs Committee will discuss the matter, with officials from relevant ministries summoned to attend. These include representatives from the Justice Ministry, the Deputy Ministry for Innovation, the Education Ministry, the Children’s Rights Commissioner and the Personal Data Commissioner.
Demetriou explained that one of the tools Greece is developing involves connecting the application to the mobile user’s digital identity during first use, from which basic information would be retrieved.
The MP emphasised that the draft law covers not only social media but also access to gambling and tobacco product purchases, as it would protect children.
“Perhaps strictness is needed to protect our children and future generations,” he said.
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