Sky TG2439 minutes agoTech2 min readItaly

Macron calls for a European law to ban social media for children under 15, Australia introduces fines for big tech companies

Quick Look

French President Emmanuel Macron has asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a European text to ban children under 15 from accessing social networks, after a similar French law was rejected by the Constitutional Council.
Meanwhile, Australia has announced that social platforms risk fines of up to $78 million if they fail to protect young people from harmful content, building on a ban already in place for under-16s.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a European text to ban access to social networks for children under 15 after a French law with the same objective was rejected by the Constitutional Council.

Font size

French President Emmanuel Macron has asked - in a letter to the number one of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, consulted by AFP - a "European text" to ban access to social networks for children under 15, with the aim of "protecting all children in the Union". While a French law with the same objective was rejected by the Constitutional Council, which asked the government to redraft the text differently, the French president reiterated that he wanted to "find a path this autumn" through "a revised legislative text" at national level "that respects Union law and our Constitution". But "it becomes essential today" - he added in the letter, dated 29 August - "to go further and harmonize this legislation through a new European text".

Crackdown in Australia: obligation to protect young people

Meanwhile, Australia has established that from now on social media giants will risk fines of up to $78 million if they do not protect young people from harmful content. This was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, presenting a bill to introduce new rules against big tech. Albanese has presented a bill that would impose a real "obligation of protection" towards users on companies that manage platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Companies would be held responsible for protecting children under 18 from pornography, cyberbullying, content that glorifies crime and material that encourages eating disorders.

Ban on use for under 16s in force for one year

The new rules build on Australia's world-first ban on under-16s using social media, which came into force late last year. Companies that fail to comply with this "protection obligation" could be fined up to 109 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately 78 million US dollars, Albanese explained. The law also requires platforms to allow users to "opt out" of the most powerful algorithms, the ones that determine what content is shown in their feeds. “This will give Australians more choice in the platforms they use and the content they see,” Albanese said. The bill will be presented to Parliament later this year, following a consultation phase with social media companies, industry associations and civil society organisations.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The proposal for a European law banning social work for children under 15 will be discussed in the coming months
Likely · Within months
The Australian bill on big-tech fines will be tabled in Parliament by the end of this year.
Very likely · Within months

Open Questions

What will be the specific content prohibited by the European proposal?
How will Australian law be applied in practice?
What will be the big tech reaction to the new regulations?