Proposed new law likely to signal outrage among our teenage children

A proposed modification to the European Data Protection Regulation may signal considerable outrage among our teenage children should it come to fruition.

The proposal put forth by European lawmakers calls for the implementation of parental consent in the case of under-16s and the use of social media - something which has sparked concern among various online safety organisations who believe the proposal may isolate youth at a time when global engagement is needed.

Commenting on the proposed new law, CEO of ConnectSafely, Larry Magid, said: "I worry about the implications that this policy could have on our ‘global village,’ where we need youth to be involved in cross-border conversations to solve some the world’s most critical challenges including global terrorism and climate change."

Elaborating further, Mr. Magid raises issue with the effect it could have on the individual teenager, saying: "I worry that it could actually endanger and disenfranchise young people at the very time when we should be doubling down on their engagement in social media and world events."

Former coordinator of European Safer Internet network, Luxembourg, Janice Richardson has called on negotiators to include other parties in the debate before confirming a change.

Arguing her point, she asserts: "Either the negotiators should re-open the debate in order that experts like ourselves, but also parent organisation, educators and young people themselves, can participate, or they should revert to the previously agreed age of 13."

As it stands, users of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook must be 13-years-old in order to participate, however should the new law, which is expected to be signed tomorrow, go through, our children will have to wait a further three years before becoming social media-savvy.

What are your thoughts?