France close to age limit on social media

TT

Published 12.07

 

French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated an age limit for social media. Archive photo. Photo: Susan Walsh/Poolfoto Via AP/TT

France may be on the verge of introducing a 15-year age limit for social media this year.

On Monday, the National Assembly will vote on a motion that has been presented by the governing Renaissance party and that also appears to have support from the larger parties on the right, the National Rally and the Republicans.

Gabriel Attal, who leads President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, tells RTL that the law could come into force as early as September 1 and that the major platforms will then have the year to exclude people under 15.

If the motion gets the green light in the National Assembly, it will go on to the Senate, where, according to Attal, a vote could be held within a few weeks.

The bill also includes an expanded mobile phone ban in French schools, so that secondary schools are also covered.