No access under 13

France wants an age limit for social media

There are many dangers lurking for young people and children on social media apart from likes.(Bild: Rawpixel Ltd. - stock.adobe.com)

Dangerous challenges, bullying and sexual exploitation - there are many dangers lurking in social media that put children and young people in particular at risk. In order to protect the little ones, the French government now wants to introduce a consumption age limit.

"I want to work with the platforms on a real digital barrier to ensure that no minor under the age of 13 has access to social networks", French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told the newspaper "Le Parisien" on Sunday. Young people between the ages of 13 and 15 should only be able to use social media with their parents' permission.

These restrictions are already in place
Adolescents in France are already only legally allowed to set up an account on social networks on their own from the age of 15. Before that, they need their parents' consent.

Attal was confident that he would be able to crack down on the issue. "This is a very difficult but not impossible task." However, there is a way to achieve this in cooperation with platforms. Facebook and TikTok are aware that their reputation is at stake. "They will play along," said Attal.

France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is confident that the age limit will be introduced.(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/ALAIN JOCARD)

Zuckerberg apologizes to parents
Only recently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other CEOs of major tech companies had to listen to fierce accusations at a hearing in the US Congress. During the highly emotional debate, Zuckerberg apologized to parents whose children had been harmed by the use of online platforms of the Meta Group (Facebook): "I'm sorry they had to go through all this," Zuckerberg told the family members present, some of whom were holding up photos of their children. "It's terrible," the CEO continued.