Critics of the new law, including digital rights advocates and privacy experts, warn that the legislation may cause more harm than good. A primary concern is that the mandatory age verification systems, while intended to protect children, could inadvertently lead to a broader infrastructure of mass surveillance. By requiring all users to prove their age, the state is effectively creating a mechanism that could be used to track and identify internet users across the board, undermining the anonymity that many consider a fundamental right in digital spaces.
Skeptics also question the technical feasibility and effectiveness of the ban. History suggests that blanket prohibitions often fail to deter determined teenagers, who are likely to bypass age-gating through virtual private networks or other technological workarounds. This creates a false sense of security for parents while potentially driving children toward less regulated, more dangerous corners of the internet where they may be even more vulnerable to exploitation.
Furthermore, there are concerns that the law may infringe upon civil liberties and the rights of parents to decide how their children interact with the world. Critics argue that the government is overstepping its bounds by dictating digital access, rather than focusing on digital literacy and education. By prioritizing a top-down, restrictive approach, the state risks creating a "digital surveillance dark age" that sacrifices privacy and personal freedom for a policy that may ultimately prove impossible to enforce consistently.