French Lawmakers Approve Social Media Age Restriction

Why it matters locally: Texas families and advocacy groups concerned about online safety for minors may find this development in French law noteworthy, as discussions around similar age verification measures for social media platforms exist at both state and federal levels in the United States.

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French lawmakers have passed a bill establishing new regulations for social media use by minors. The legislation requires children under 15 years old to obtain parental consent before creating social media accounts. The National Assembly approved the measure, which intends to compel social media platforms to implement age verification technology. Companies must verify the user's age and seek permission from parents or legal guardians for those under the designated age limit. The bill's passage follows recent legal actions initiated by several French families. These families have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that harmful content on the platform contributed to teen suicides.