Social networks are part of the daily lives of millions of people worldwide, but their impact among the younger ones has raised serious concerns. Governments from various countries have tried to find ways to limit deregulated access to minors to these platforms as alerts about associated risks grow. Now it is France who takes position and wants to bring the theme to the European scale, more specifically to the European Union (EU).
France wants to change the rules
The French government has announced that it will press the European Union (EU) to ban access to social networks by children under 15. The proposal was presented by President Emmanuel Macron, after a tragic episode in an eastern school.
According to Macron, quoted by Pplware, it is necessary to act firmly to avoid situations of youth violence with links to the digital environment. The head of state wants this proposal to advance at the European level, arguing that minors should be protected from content that circulates in the networks.
A case that rekindled the debate
Macron’s decision arises after stabbing a 31 -year -old education assistant, allegedly committed by a 14 -year -old student, during a backpack magazine.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou said this type of events is not an isolated case and warned of the harmful influence that social networks may have about the behavior of some young people. In the same line, Macron stated in an interview with France 2 public station that “we can’t wait any longer.” The president considers urgent to adopt more restrictive measures.
Use of networks in minors
Currently, many minors can create accounts on social networks even when the minimum age required, such as 13, is not respected. Through false birth data, they have access to content, interactions and dynamics that are not always adapted to their maturity.
Several experts, cited by the same source, warn that this premature access can interfere with the emotional and social development of younger people, as well as exposing them to phenomena such as cyberbullying or peer pressure. France intends, therefore, to go further, proposing a broader measure to the EU, which prevents registration on platforms up to 15 years, regardless of parental authorization.
The response of the European Commission (CE)
Despite the French intention, CE clarified that there is no plans at this time to apply a widespread prohibition at European level. Thomas Regnier, the commission spokesman, said that this type of decision is up to the Member States, explaining that “this is not the way we are following”, reinforcing that the skills in this matter remain in the hands of each country.
Even so, France’s political pressure may relaunch the debate at European level and encourage other countries to adopt similar measures.
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Experiences in other countries
In various parts of the world, governments and regional authorities have also taken steps to limit minors access to social networks, the same source says.
For example, in some US states, tighter restrictions have already been implemented, requiring parents’ consent to create accounts.
These initiatives aim to lock early access and prevent children and adolescents from being exposed to potentially harmful content. However, these measures have generated debate, particularly on the limits of individual freedom, digital rights and the effectiveness of such restrictions.
A debate with various dimensions
The theme of using social networks by minors involves different areas, from mental health to online safety, through privacy and digital literacy.
Some argue that the path goes through the education of young people and families than for direct prohibitions. Others argue that platforms must be legally required to create effective age verification mechanisms. What is certain is that the balance between protection and autonomy remains difficult to achieve and that the debate is far from ending.
The future of digital regulation
France’s proposal may not have an immediate application, but puts it again on the table the need for a clearer European regulation on the access of minors to social networks.
At a time when digital presence begins earlier and earlier, and when risks also become more visible, the minimum age is one of the central themes of digital regulation in the EU, ensures.
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