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France Eyes Under-15 Social Media Ban
31 Mar
Summary
- French senators are voting on a bill to ban social media for children under 15.
- The proposed law aims for implementation before the next academic year begins.
- Lawmakers cite concerns about children's personal and cognitive development.
French senators are scheduled to vote on a significant draft law aimed at prohibiting social media access for individuals under 15 years old. This legislative move, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, intends to be enacted before the commencement of the upcoming academic year in September. If passed, France would join Australia, which previously implemented a ban for those under 16 on major platforms.
Lawmakers have voiced concerns regarding the early access of children to smartphones and the subsequent impact on their personal and cognitive development. The proposed legislation seeks to mandate robust and secure age verification systems for social media platforms, prioritizing data protection. However, the bill faced amendments in the Senate committee, suggesting a potential compromise to block access only to platforms deemed harmful, with parental consent as an alternative for others.
