France's parliament has passed a bill banning children under 15 from using social media, becoming the first European Union member state to implement an age limit.
SiliconANGLE reported on Tuesday that France's National Assembly approved the bill by 279 votes to 81 after the Senate had backed it.
The bill still requires a ruling by the Constitutional Council before it can take effect. President Emmanuel Macron (에마뉘엘 마크롱) called it a major step forward and said measures should be made a reality after the council's review to protect children and teenagers online.
The French government has been speeding up legislative procedures so the law can take effect before the start of the new school term in September. Macron directed the government to move quickly to process the bill. Digital Minister Anne Le Henaff (안 르 에낭프) said age-verification tools already exist, so implementation should not face major problems, and accounts would be closed for those under 15.
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr