France proposes ban on children opening Facebook accounts without parents' permission

Children under the age of 16 in France will have to seek parental approval to open an account on Facebook or any other social network, under a new draft bill put forward by the government.

The legislation, which was approved by the French cabinet but will now have to be approved by parliament, seeks to adapt dated privacy regulations.

The move also aims to improve access to the information Internet companies gather, store, and in many cases sell to other firms about people's online activities.

“Joining Facebook will involve parental authorisation for minors aged under 16,” Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet said, Reuters reported.

Ms Belloubet said under-16s would have to tick a box to confirm approval from a parent or guardian had been obtained and the box-tick amounted to a declaration governed by law.

Critics have questioned the practicality of the new rule, as social media sites will have to verify the age of users and underage children may still tick the box to create an account.

Facebook requires users to be at least 13 before they can create an account, but many younger children declare they are older and sign up.

This week, the French government announced school pupils will be banned from taking mobile phones to school.

Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said the ban would come into effect at the start of a new school year next September.

Students are already barred from bring their phones into the classroom, but the new rule will prevent them using them between lessons and during breaks.

“These days the children don't play at break time anymore, they are just all in front of their smartphones and from an educational point of view that's a problem,” Mr Blanquer told Le Grand Jury TV programme on Sunday.