In France, users must be aged 13 or over to register on social networks. Since 29 June 2023, the Digital Majority Act requires platforms to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent for those under 15. A law that is easily circumvented.
Minors facing the dangers of social media, this is the subject chosen by Yves Calvi for his programme on 28 May 2024. Justine Atlan, Chief Executive Officer of the Association was invited onto the set of BFM TV to respond to this matter.
In response to Yves Calvi's first question, Justine Atlan is categorical: “Of course not, no identity checks are carried out on the Internet.”She explains that this is what prevents minors from being recognised and pushes platforms to treat them as adults.
She emphasises the’the abundance of solicitations received by young internet users “As soon as someone suggests online that they are a minor, they will receive a flood of messages from paedophiles, as if they were sitting behind their screens waiting for new prey to arrive. We must stop thinking that this is a marginal phenomenon; it is extremely common on the internet.”
Regarding the blocking of websites that do not comply with French laws, Justine Atlan continues: “The justice system lacks courage and could well decide to block websites that do not comply with French law, regardless of where they are hosted.”She points out the case of pornographic websites that do not comply with the age verification law of July 2020 and that the courts refuse to block.
RE(VIEW) THE EXCERPT
