Starting September 1, teenagers under 15 will no longer be able to use social media, but they are not the only ones affected by this new law in France. Adults will also have to verify their age before accessing social media. Are these new laws really necessary, or do they have unintended consequences for citizens’ access to information and fundamental freedoms online?
We need to reduce teenagers’ screen time and protect them from pitfalls—such as algorithm addiction—but, despite this, science shows the negative consequences of very common platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This ban has several loopholes that could be exploited; for example, measures have already been taken to prevent people from lying or finding secret ways to bypass age verification.
In our experience, teenagers can be very resourceful, especially when it comes to accessing information on social media or other communication platforms. Even if they are required to present official identification or a government ID, they may resort to illegal means to obtain fake IDs to access social media. As a result, this new system would only compromise the digital freedom of those under 15.
Passed in January by 130 votes to 21, this bill received broad bipartisan support in the National Assembly and was particularly backed by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, there have been negative reactions from Generations Z, Alpha, and Beta. These young people are the first generation to have grown up in a world of technology, including social media, and to understand its benefits and dangers. Yet, they feel their voices are absent from the debate on digital regulation.
Many young people oppose the ban on social media, calling it a “misguided measure” that is “dangerous at worst and ineffective at best.” They believe that banning social media is not the right solution.
Instead, the best approach is to tackle the structure of these platforms: the algorithm, their addictive features, and the harmful content circulating on the internet, regardless of the age groups that may have access to it. In the eyes of French youth, this law is counterproductive.
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