Lithuania Proposes Parental Consent Requirement for Social Media Users Under 16

Digital Risks and Health Concerns Lithuania has initiated preparations for a comprehensive legal regulation aimed at enhancing children's digital safety.
The proposed legislation specifically targets the psychological, behavioral, and security risks faced by teenagers in the 13-17 age group within digital environments.
Experts warn that uncontrolled internet use leads to serious issues among youth, including sleep disorders, attention deficits, and social isolation.
Signs of Addiction in Schools Rasa Jauniskiene, Head of the Digital Ethics Center, stated that physical withdrawal symptoms have been observed in some students during practices where phones are collected at schools.
Jauniskiene emphasized that this situation reveals the extent of digital addiction and makes restrictions a necessity.
Strict Oversight and Penalties The current system, where platforms rely solely on user declarations for age verification, is deemed insufficient.
Under the new regulation, technology companies that violate the rules are expected to face heavy fines.
Individuals aged 16 and older will continue to manage their accounts independently.
Ulbinaite expressed that this step is not merely a ban but a strategic move to increase digital safety awareness within society.
As similar debates continue across Europe, Lithuania's initiative may serve as a model for other countries in the region.