France has enacted legislation making it the first European Union nation to prohibit the use of certain social media networks by individuals under the age of 15. The new law, which passed through parliament, is designed to safeguard minors from perceived risks associated with the digital online environment. The measure, which has received strong support from President Emmanuel Macron, is scheduled to take effect on September 1, coinciding with the start of the new academic year.
Under the terms of the law, all social media platforms operating within france will be mandated to implement robust age verification systems. These systems must receive formal approval from the French authority responsible for personal data protection. Furthermore, the legislation grants these platforms a four-month window to systematically remove and close the accounts belonging to users who fail to meet the established age criteria.
Proponents of the law, including President Macron, have emphasized that this regulation is crucial for safeguarding the mental health and healthy development of young people. The government stated that the move represents a significant step toward establishing digital boundaries to protect minors in an increasingly connected world. The implementation of these strict controls marks a notable regulatory shift within the EU regarding youth access to online platforms.
Topics: #social #media #france
