Children’s digital safety is gradually becoming one of the main concerns across many European countries. Romania has become the latest nation to consider introducing strict control measures.
In France, for example, rules limiting access to social media for those under 15 have been in force since July 2023. Romanian lawmakers are now weighing the introduction of mandatory age verification for children up to 16 years old, or even an outright ban on social networks for that age group.
The goal of the initiative is to protect minors from sexual or violent content, as well as to reduce the rates of online bullying and harassment, which have already become commonplace among the digital generation.
Concerns, however, have also extended to gambling. Online monitoring advocates have added restrictions on gambling advertising to their demands. Save the Children, an NGO leading the debate on protecting minors online, has been outspoken against what it describes as the spread of child gambling in Romania.
Data from the organisation shows that 48.3% of children spend more than six hours a day online. A separate study revealed that 14% of surveyed children have gambled at least once, while 40% admitted knowing a peer who had done so.
President of Save the Children Romania Gabriela Alexandrescu said: “We must be aware of the real risks of gambling addiction and the destructive pathological behaviours it generates. It is imperative to completely eliminate gambling advertising, limit the spaces dedicated to these activities, and even prohibit gambling for people under 21.”
Her concerns are shared by several politicians. Member of Parliament Raluca Turcan stated: “Gambling advertisements must not invade children’s space. It is vital to ban not only gaming halls, but also billboards and advertisements near schools, parks, playgrounds, campuses, hospitals or churches.”
Political pressure to restrict gambling has been building since the beginning of the year, following a major scandal in February when an audit revealed €900m in unpaid taxes at the national regulator ONJN.
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