France is considering severe restrictions to protect young people from the harms of digital technology. A recent report highlights the steps needed to ensure healthy development in the era of ubiquitous pixels.
According to the latest report sent to Emmanuel Macron, there is reason to worry about screens for our little ones. No direct neurological problems, but it can aggravate problems in already sensitive children. This is a serious avenue that deserves not to be taken lightly.
Clear rules to limit damage
The experts are quite strict: zero screens for children under threeAnd very little for those between three and six years old, only with educational games and under the supervision of an adult.
Additionally, they suggest restrictions on the use of cell phones and televisions in maternity wards, as well as the elimination of computers and televisions in nurseries and nursery classes. These measures aim to regulate children’s exposure to technologies, promoting healthier and more balanced development.
As for smartphones, they should be banned before the age of 11. And between 11 and 13 years old? No possibility of installing a social network on a smartphone. It’s a pretty radical plan to ensure that our children grow up well without being glued to screens.
According to them, it is not a question of demonizing technology, but of using it wisely. Training educators so that they know when and how to use digital tools is essential. The report also talks about supporting childminders and putting in place a real framework for digital tools at school.
And what’s next?
According to an Ipsos survey for the National Book Center, young people aged 7 to 19 spend on average more than three hours a day on screens.
During a speech on Europe this week at the Sorbonne, Emmanuel Macron pleaded for “parental control” of access to social networks in European countries for adolescents under 15 years old.
Despite the firmness of the government proposals, their practical application faces significant obstacles. Indeed, the majority of recommendations depend on the individual choices of parents, because they mainly affect daily management in the private sphere.
For example, even if French laws prohibit access to social networks for those under 13, a recent study shows that 67% of children aged 8 to 10 already have an account, which illustrates the difficulty of applying these regulations without the active cooperation of parents.
Faced with these challenges, one avenue explored would be to impose obligations directly on digital platforms. France has attempted to take steps in this direction, such as the recent law requiring social networks to verify the age of their users and obtain parental consent for those under 15. However, the application of this law is stagnating, due to lack of publication of the necessary decree.
Additionally, France must navigate the European regulatory framework, where national initiatives must be approved by the European Commission.
This approval seems difficult to obtain, given the reservations expressed by figures like Thierry Breton, who criticizes some of the flagship measures proposed by France, such as the law on digital majority and the regulation of influencers.