France to ban social media for under-15s in European first
- Source
- New York Times
- Time
- 8:43 PM
- Weight
- 94/100
France has enacted a landmark law establishing a minimum age of 15 for social media use, making it the first European country to implement such a "digital age of consent." Under the new regulations, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are required to verify the age of their users and obtain explicit parental permission for those under the 15-year threshold. This initiative aims to address rising concerns regarding the impact of digital platforms on youth mental health, including issues related to cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the addictive nature of online algorithms.
The legislation includes strict enforcement mechanisms, with technology companies facing potential fines of up to 1% of their global annual turnover for non-compliance. While the law marks a significant shift in digital regulation within the European Union, the specific technical methods for age verification are still being finalized to ensure they balance effectiveness with user privacy.