In France, you have to wait 15 years before you can register on social media on your own, without parental consent. However, 67% of primary school children aged 8-10 are already users*?
To better protect minors, especially younger ones, from content that is unsuitable or dangerous for them, Meta has just announced the implementation of new restrictions on Facebook and Instagram. From now on, all accounts belonging to teenagers (identified as being between 13 – the minimum age required to register – and 15 years old) will be placed by default in the strictest configuration of the two social networks, which «makes it more difficult to come into contact with potentially sensitive content», according to a message posted on Meta's website.
This configuration also restricts other users' access to the »friends» list, accounts being followed, and the ability to comment on posted messages.
Furthermore, research on keywords such as Self-harm, suicide, or bulimia should disappear from young users' news feeds. Children under the age of 16 should also no longer have access to sexually explicit content.
Have you been exposed to violent or shocking content on social media? The 3018 helpline is there to support you.
*Study by the e-Enfance Association and Caisse d'Epargne on cyberbullying among 8-18 year olds, 2023
