The French Parliament Votes for Age Verification on Social Media Platforms

Introduction

French parliamentarians have recently passed a new law that requires major social media platforms to verify the age of their users and obtain parental consent for individuals under the age of 15. This legislation, introduced by a deputy from the presidential majority, has gained consensus in both the National Assembly and the Senate. Although the exact effective date of the law is yet to be determined, questions arise regarding its feasibility and implementation techniques.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

While access to social networks by children under the age of 13 is theoretically prohibited, many teenagers still manage to access these platforms. The new law aims to address this issue by holding major social media giants accountable. These platforms will be required to obtain “the permission of one of the holders of parental rights.” To achieve this, the law instructs them to utilize “technical solutions in accordance with the reference system” developed by the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communications (Arcom). However, no device currently exists that is completely convincing in ensuring age verification. Nevertheless, elected officials intend to exert pressure on these companies. Laurent Markangeli, the initiator of the law, emphasizes the need to “advance age verification methods and heavily invest in digital education for parents, children, and teachers.” Failure to comply with this new regulation can result in heavy fines, potentially reaching up to 1% of a company’s global turnover. Families, on the other hand, will not face any sanctions, as the primary objective is to raise awareness among the platforms regarding their responsibility. However, it is expected that media coverage of this law will prompt parents to closely monitor their children’s digital practices.

The Importance of Monitoring Children’s Screen Time

It is crucial to recognize the potential risks associated with excessive screen time, especially for young individuals. Researchers at the University of Illinois in the United States recently discovered that children who spent less than an hour in front of a screen exhibited better cognitive performance compared to their peers. Therefore, it is paramount for parents to be vigilant and actively engage in managing their children’s digital activities.

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