For two hours, deputies debated the Social Democratic proposal, pointing out several problems with the bill, which will now go to committee for detailed discussion.

The proposal was opposed by the Chega and Liberal Initiative benches and abstained from by deputies from the CDS-PP, PCP, Livre, Bloco de Esquerda, and the socialist Miguel Costa Matos.

All deputies agreed that social networks pose risks to children and young people, but they defended different protection models and raised concerns about data protection.

Most deputies acknowledged that it is necessary to regulate and limit access for minors under 16, except for Chega and CDS-PP, who believe this should be a mission for families, not the State.

Required verification

The PSD's bill establishes that one must be at least 16 years old to access social networks such as Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, and that, between the ages of 13 and 16, access is only permitted after "express and verified parental consent."

Current legislation already prohibits access for minors under 13, but until now, there was no control, nor was age verified by the platforms. With this new bill, you will need to confirm the user's age through the Chave Móvel Digital system to access the platforms.

Protection mechanisms

Service providers will also be required to implement mechanisms to protect children and young people, and may be subject to fines of up to "two million euros or 2% of their annual global turnover."

Several parliamentary groups lamented the fact that the PSD did not allow other initiatives to be presented, with the Social Democratic group expressing openness to having the proposal "improved" in detail.

The Chega party member cited Saint Carlo Acutis, who died at age 15 and became known as "the patron saint of the internet," in a statement that the Tucano party member described as regrettable.

"You invoked a saint, and in relation to your statement, I will invoke another saint: the holy ignorance that is your patron saint," said Capitão, with Frazão accusing him of having a vocation for "being a third-rate comedian in a seedy bar."