Paris: Taking a big step towards the online safety of children, France has passed a historic law banning the use of social media by children under 15 years of age. Without getting clearance from both houses of the French Parliament, this law is stuff considered as the first major step of its kind in the European Union (EU). President Emmanuel Macron wants this law to come into gravity from the whence of the new wonk session i.e. in September, although surpassing that it will have to undergo ramble review.
What does the new law say?
Under the new law, children unelevated 15 years of age will not be worldly-wise to use social media platforms. Apart from this, a provision has moreover been made to ban the use of mobile phones in upper schools in France. However, platforms related to online education, digital encyclopedias and scientific websites will remain out of this ban so that students' studies are not affected.
Were steps taken for the safety of children?
In France, parents and child protection organisations have been raising concerns well-nigh the ill effects of social media for a long time. He says that some content misogynist on social media is having a serious impact on the mental health of children. Many parents personal that depression, self-harm and other mental problems have increased in children due to social media addiction.
Did the debate intensify without TikTok controversy?
In recent years, several families in France had filed lawsuits versus TikTok. They so-called that some harmful content and algorithms present on the platform pushed teenagers towards activities like suicide and self-harm. Without this, pressure increased on the government to make strict laws regarding the digital safety of children.
Will be challenging to implement?
Experts believe that implementing the law will not be easy. The biggest rencontre will be to verify the real age of the children and identify the social media finance once created. Besides, an constructive system of age verification will moreover have to be developed.
Did some leaders protest?
France's leftist party France Unbowed has opposed this law. He says that this law may mismatch with some provisions of the Constitution and it will be quite difficult to implement it practically. They moreover oppose that this may raise questions related to privacy and online identity on the Internet.
How many countries of the world are taking such steps?
Apart from France, many countries like Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Britain have moreover imposed restrictions or age-based rules on children's social media use. Canada, Greece, Denmark and Spain are moreover considering similar laws.
