Australia's recent ban on social media use for individuals under 16 has ignited global discussion, including in Poland. In a recent interview, Krzysztof Gawkowski, Poland's Vice Premier and Minister of Digitalization, expressed his support for restricting social media access for children, proposing that the minimum age should be set at 13. He emphasized the need for further research to determine whether 14 or 15 should also be included in these restrictions, indicating that age verification and enforcement of such policies is crucial.

Gawkowski highlighted the current enforcement challenges, noting that, despite the existing limit of 13 years old on several platforms, verification mechanisms are not being effectively implemented. This lack of enforcement is problematic, as it allows younger users to access social media without adequate checks. He asserted that it is essential to create a system that reliably verifies the age of users, rather than imposing an outright ban on internet access for young individuals, as many children also use the web for educational purposes, such as accessing child-friendly gaming platforms.

The discussion around implementing such a digital barrier for children resonates within the broader context of ongoing debates about internet safety and access to information for young people. As countries like Australia take definitive actions regarding social media, Poland’s consideration of a similar approach reflects a growing global trend toward protecting children from the potential harms of online environments, setting the stage for future discussions about how to balance safety with accessibility in the digital age.