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The initiative also introduces firm measures to protect minors in the virtual environment, at a time when the EU is launching, in July, an app that allows age verification without collecting personal data.
“This law on the protection of minors in the field of information society services is essential for the future of our children. It is the result of two years of work by my colleagues, of extensive consultations with parents, NGOs, IT specialists, psychologists, and educators. It is a strong response to the need for real protection of children in an increasingly dangerous digital environment,” said Nicoleta Pauliuc.
The legislative proposal was first launched back in 2023, when Romania was among the first European countries to raise the issue of online adulthood and digital maturity to the level of a national public debate.
Now, the European context allows its implementation. The EU will launch in July 2025 an age verification app that allows confirmation of age without exposing personal data to platforms. Moreover, the topic of “digital maturity” is on the agenda of the June 2025 meeting of EU digitalization ministers, and Romania has the opportunity to support a European standard aligned with the one promoted through this law.
“Romania can and must play an active role in establishing a European standard for digital maturity. I have already sent the request to the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for our country to support this vision at the European level,” Pauliuc added.
The new law proposes:
Setting the age of digital maturity at 16;
Access to platforms and creation of personal accounts only with the explicit consent of parents or legal guardians;
The right of parents to suspend or delete their children’s accounts and restrict access to harmful content;
Clear obligations for platforms (such as filtering, age-category labeling, blocking unauthorized access, and banning targeted advertising aimed at minors);
Exceptions for authorized educational platforms;
Firm penalties, including fines proportional to turnover and suspension of activity for providers that do not comply with the law.
The legislative initiative does not target only very large platforms (VLOPs), but has a broader scope that covers information society services – from small social networks and content sites to banking apps and online games.
Romania, like the rest of Europe, is facing an explosion of dangerous phenomena in the digital environment: viral challenges, access to pornographic and violent content, use of prohibited substances, bullying, fraud, and screen addiction.
International studies confirm: teenagers are increasingly vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders due to uncontrolled exposure to harmful online content.
Pauliuc called on all fellow parliamentarians, authorities, and civil society to support this initiative.