French digital industry braces for crackdown on kids’ screentime
PARIS — France's digital industry is girding itself for the outcome of a government report on curbing how much time children spend on screens — and trying to avoid overly restrictive new rules.
French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier in May that he would give his government a month to examine the proposals from an expert group on screentime "and translate them into action." The report suggests age limits intended to enable children to enter the digital world gradually and block access to the most popular social networks until they turn 18.
The report also recommends the creation of a "European ethical standard" for platforms and an agency dedicated to digital governance.
French Digital Transition Minister Marina Ferrari has already hinted that she'd like new regulation to include the experts' calls to rein in tech platforms’ addictive design and a "polluter pays" principles where tech firms would have to finance research and prevention programs to dampen the worst excesses of their services.
Axelle Desaint, a member of the expert committee who runs an internet education program, told POLITICO that the digital industry had underestimated the desire for regulation.
