France President Emmanuel Macron said he would press the European Union for a possible ban on social networks for young people under 15, after a stabbing that took place at a school in Nogent, east of the country.
He said in an interview on Tuesday (10) that he expected to see results in the coming months. “If that does not work, we will start to do this in France. We cannot wait,” he said to broadcaster France 2, hours after the attack.
However, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said on Wednesday that the EU is not moving to impose this ban, and that it is up to the Member States to define an age limit for the use of social networks.
“We share the same concerns raised by the EU member states and parents,” said Regnier, adding that the block will present a pilot project to an age check tool that will be launched in July.
Social network is a factor responsible for violence among young people, says Macron
Police questioned a 14-year-old student on Tuesday (10) after a 31-year-old school assistant was stabbed.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou told Parliament that. Macron stated that social media are one of the factors responsible for violence among young people.
After the interview with France 2, the French president wrote that this regulation is supported by experts. “Platforms have the ability to verify age.”
Last year, Australia approved the prohibition of 16 years after a public debate, establishing a standard for jurisdictions worldwide with one of the strictest regulations aimed at large technology companies.
Although most social networks do not allow under 13 years to use their platforms, a report from Australia’s online security regulatory agency found that children easily circumvent these restrictions.
