Is it possible to establish such a measure in France? – release

For Emmanuel Macron, the link between the death of a supervisor, Stabbed by a college student Tuesday June 10 in Nogent (Haute-Marne) And the use of social networks by the youngest is undeniable. « We must prohibit them under 15 years », Did he hammered on France 2, even if the Chaumont prosecutor said this Wednesday that the suspect used them « little ». Liberty takes stock of the feasibility of a ban on platforms to the youngest.

In the spirit of government, it would be up to platforms to check the age of users at the time of their registration. For this, there are several possibilities, according to the co -president of the « Children and screens » experts And psychiatrist Amine Benyamina: set up a facial recognition device by artificial intelligence via a selfie or activation of a camera. Other possible tools according to the expert: a « Digital digital imprint » which would guarantee the age of the internet user, or the presentation of the identity card with a verification system, As was established for pornographic sitesspecifies the psychiatrist.

“The platforms have all the technical solutions to set up these access restrictions, continues Amine Benyamina. What is missing is the will. « 

Of « Many parades » Can be implemented by adolescents, advances cybersecurity expert Corinne Henin. « If the solution envisaged by platforms is the same as for porn sites, we will confront the same wall: children will suffice to use a VPN and connect abroad so that the constraint no longer applies. » For the specialist in cybersecurity and European affairs Rayna Stamboliyska, there are other means of bypass, such as the generation of an identity title by an artificial intelligence or the purchase of false online papers.

But for this expert, the involvement of such a measure is much wider. « If we follow this logic, that would mean that an identity card requested to access Tiktok would be sent directly to China », she says. This system for collecting personal data could then prejudice the rights and freedoms of all, and not only to the under 15s. A solution « lunar », and a « Bad response to a real basic problem », deplores Rayna Stamboliyska. A limit also identified by the National Commission for Data Protection.

Psychiatrist Amine Benyamina assures that she is part of the law on the « digital majority » adopted in 2023a text that obliges Tiktok, Instagram or Snapchat to refuse access to the under 15s, unless one of the parents has agreed. But this law is not yet in force, pending a response from the European Commission on its compliance with European law.

But time is running out: Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that he wanted to legislate in France « From a few months old » If nothing is done at European level. However, these decisions concerning platforms are the responsibility of the European Union, and in particular the regulations on digital services, the « Digital Services Act»». And unlike the measures desired by the French government, this European regulation never mentions age verification by platforms, explains Rayna Stamboliyska.

The minister delegate in charge of digital, Clara Chappaz, nevertheless hopes « Mobilizing (its) European partners » on this point. On Wednesday, she announced on X having the support of six countries: Greece, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Cyprus and Slovenia. Will it be enough? Discussions must be completed by mid-July.

For the psychiatrist Amine Benyamina, « Everything that is likely to be invested by young people, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, must also be regulated ». And there is an emergency, « Because young people live between them in these digital spaces ». Corinne Henin nevertheless underlines that these applications are not « Officially considered as social networks » – Even if they can look at it – and therefore do not fall within the scope of the ban. The digital ministry confirms having had reflections on this point but has given up on the name « From the principle of freedom of expression ».