Social networks: age verification and mandatory parental controls have been voted on
The National Assembly voted today the obligation for social networks like TikTok or Snapchat to verify the age of their users and the agreement of parents for the registration of children under 15, with sanctions key in the event of breaches.
On the way to parental controls for social networks
The bill was adopted almost unanimously (82 votes to 2) at first reading. It must now be considered in the Senate.
The “numerical majority” at 15 to which the text refers is not new: it was introduced in France in 2018 pursuant to European legislation, which left the possibility of fixing it between 13 and 16 years old. But this threshold concerns more broadly the age under which parental consent is required for the personal data of a minor to be processed. Not really applied, it has had no impact on children’s access to social networks.
To remedy this, the heart of the text voted on today establishes the obligation for social networks to set up a technical solution for verifying the age of end users and the consent of holders of parental authority for those under 15 years, solution which must be certified by the authorities.
In the event of a breach, a fine may be imposed on the company, up to 1% of its worldwide turnover. The text, which was debated as part of a day reserved for the Horizons group (ally of the macronists), also gives parents the possibility of requesting the suspension of the account of a child under the age of 15.
A constraint was added by amendment during the debate, specifying that parents could not give their consent for the registration of children under 13, except for labeled platforms.
On social networks, the first registration occurs on average around 8 and a half years old, and more than half of 10-14 year olds are present there, according to data from the CNIL cited by the deputies. “The scientific evidence of causal links between the unbridled use of social networks and the mental health of children and adolescents is accumulating”, underlined the Minister Delegate for the Digital Transition Jean-Noël Barrot, who supported the voted text.
