While the European Union has established a general framework through the Digital Services Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), member states are still seeking the right balance between protecting minors and technical feasibility.

However, in France, the Senate has just taken a significant step forward on this delicate issue…

Digital Age of Consent Set at 13 Years

On Thursday, December 18, the Senate unanimously passed a bill aimed at combating excessive and premature exposure to screens, sponsored by centrist Senator Catherine Morin-Desailly.

The legislation establishes a digital age of consent at 13 years old, meaning that children under this age would be prohibited from accessing social networks. From ages 13 to 16, registration would still be possible but only with parental consent.

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This measure follows the GDPR, which allows states to set the digital consent age between 13 and 16 years. Several European countries have already made their decisions, with variations such as 16 years in Germany and the Netherlands, and 13 years in Belgium and Nordic countries. The Senate aims to enhance the existing European framework without replacing it.

Increasing Usage and Documented Risks

To justify this initiative, lawmakers rely on well-known data. According to the Junior Connect’ study, teenagers aged 13 to 19 spend over 15 hours per week online, while those aged 7 to 12 exceed 6 hours weekly, and even children under 6 accumulate several hours in front of screens.

The associated risks are numerous, including sleep disorders, eye strain, obesity, learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms related to intensive use of social networks.

Age Verification, Prevention, and School Policies

Beyond the digital age of consent, platforms will need to implement an age verification system in accordance with standards set by ARCOM. This requirement echoes recent debates about access to adult content.

Manufacturers of connected devices, on the other hand, must include warning messages on the packaging of smartphones, tablets, or computers. In schools, internal regulations must also be updated to specify the conditions for screen use.

A Supported Yet Controversial Proposal

Although the amendment on the digital age of consent was strongly supported in the Senate, the government remains cautious.

President Emmanuel Macron has recently mentioned a threshold closer to 15 or 16 years old, and a specific bill is expected to be introduced in January, aiming for full compliance with European law.

The parliamentary shuttle will then determine whether the Senate’s text will serve as a legislative basis or if it will be extensively revised…