French Parliament approves law banning social media for children under 15

Children with smartphones. Illustrative photo: helenjank/Pixabay

The French government has adopted a law restricting access to social networks for teenagers under 15 years old. As reported by the website pch24.pl, children are prohibited from using social networks without parents' consent.

The bill was supported by 130 deputies, with 21 voting against. French President Emmanuel Macron called the document an important step in regulating digital space, noting that this ban is recommended by specialists and supported by the majority of the population.

Similar regulations were previously adopted by Australia, and discussions of analogous measures continue in the United Kingdom.

The new rules require internet platforms to implement technical mechanisms for verifying users' ages. Violators face significant fines – up to 32 million US dollars. According to a statement by Meta company, only in the first months of the restrictions being in effect, 550 thousand profiles of underage users were deactivated.

The law will come into force after approval of regulatory acts and consultations with digital companies, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

As reported by the UOJ, Denmark also plans to ban social networks for children under 15 years old.

Read also

Historic UOC church in Beryslav burns down in drone strike

A wooden church built in 1726 burned down after a drone strike in the Kherson region.

Oldest church in Kyiv celebrates its patronal feast

Metropolitan Victor led the festive service at the capital’s St. Elijah Church.

UOC Primate leads celebrations marking 510 years of Lavra skete in Horodok

In the Rivne Eparchy, the Primate of the UOC consecrated an icon of the Mother of God restored by the convent’s sisters.

Religious Jews attack Armenian monastery in Jerusalem

Police detained six suspects following an attack on St. James Monastery in the Old City.

OCU cleric personally cuts locks during seizure of UOC church in Cherniavka

An OCU cleric dismissed the parish rector's request for copies of meeting records, calling him an "enemy of the people."

Oldest UOC church in Sumy marks its patronal feast

Metropolitan Yevlohiy led celebrations at the city’s oldest parish, where the wonderworking Pustynno-Hlynska Icon of the Mother of God was brought for the feast.