France’s regulators have passed a bill banning social media use for children under 15, according to CNN. The new law also prohibits mobile phone use in schools and requires further approval from the Constitutional Council before implementation.
If enacted, France would become the first European Union member to enforce a social media ban, following similar legislation in Australia set to take effect in 2024. The law aims to address health concerns connected to children’s social media usage.
The legislation includes provisions for new advertising rules for social platforms. According to AP, regulators have suggested the use of age verification tools to ensure account eligibility, although the specifics of the required system remain unclear.
ARCOM, France’s digital communications regulator, will be responsible for enforcing the ban once it is implemented. President Emmanuel Macron expressed a desire for the law to be in effect by the beginning of the school year in September, and he previously urged Parliament to expedite the voting process.
Other European nations, including the United Kingdom and Denmark, are also considering similar restrictions on social media. The UK has partially enforced a ban through age-gating requirements outlined in the Online Safety Act.
Meanwhile, in Canada, a bill was introduced in June to ban social media for children aged 16 and under. However, studies in Australia indicate that many children continued to access social media despite the ban, raising concerns about the enforcement effectiveness.
Significant challenges are evident with age verification systems, as demonstrated by issues faced with platforms like Roblox. France’s impending social media ban may encounter similar enforcement difficulties.
