Age verification will not protect children from online threats

The Polish Ministry of Digitization and Education has proposed a law to set the minimum age for accessing social media platforms at 15. The verification of age will be conducted through trusted digital identity solutions, ensuring user privacy by only confirming age without sharing personal data. Experts express concerns about the effectiveness of this verification, suggesting that children might still access accounts through older relatives. They argue for additional measures, such as limiting the number of accounts per person, to prevent misuse. Critics also highlight that without ongoing age checks, the initiative may not effectively protect children from online dangers. The law aims to address issues like cyberbullying and mental health risks associated with social media use among minors.