Social media ban in France, too?
France may follow Australia's example and introduce a ban on social media for children and young teenagers after its National Assembly voted in favour of a bill to this effect. If approved by the Senate, the ban could apply to children under 15 from this September. President Emmanuel Macron has enthusiastically endorsed the draft law. While many commentators applaud the move, some present alternatives.
Helpful for parents and children
Columnist Justine Roberts explains in the Financial Times why an age restriction is both justified and necessary:
“History shows that public health policy often moves slowly until the harm becomes impossible to ignore. ... A legal age limit on social media might not be perfectly enforced but it would change ideas about what is 'normal' for children. As things stand, parents who resist social media are cast as unreasonable and in danger of isolating their children. A ban would make it far easier to say no. And age restrictions are a familiar public policy tool - we don't remove them on alcohol just because some teenagers are able to get hold of drinks.”
No loss for young people
Webcafé also supports the ban:
“Nowadays social media are more like a drug than an enjoyable form of entertainment or a game. For the most part they're harmful and have almost no benefits, especially for people who lack an internal filter when it comes to using them. Children don't have this filter, and since it's far more difficult to teach ten-year-olds how to recognise manipulation, propaganda and fake news, it's easier and more sensible to deny them access altogether. ... You're not withholding anything from them that they need for a good and pleasant life at that age.”
Improve the digital world instead of banning it
Four French spokespersons for the European tech justice and digital rights movement Ctrl+alt+reclaim call for a different approach in Le Monde:
“Now that digital and physical spaces have become inseparable, educating people on the discerning use of digital technology from an early age is a necessity. ... The authorities will only be able to win this battle by obliging tech giants to comply with European and national rules: transparency and regulation of algorithms, effective moderation, a ban on deliberately addictive mechanisms, dissuasive financial penalties and genuine legal accountability. ... Finally, we cannot envisage a lasting solution without building secure, attractive and empowering European alternatives, designed with respect for personal data, privacy and lifestyles.”