France makes effort to protect children's privacy online
- Mckayla Mccloskey
- Jun 8, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 13, 2023
Background
Sharenting. This abhorrent word is relatively new to social (media) scenes, and yet the action it describes - parents over-sharing their children across social media, especially when posting without a child's permission - is already being shunned. Many viewers don't approve of parents using their children to monetize their own social platforms, and rightfully so, it teeters on an ethical precipice. Furthermore, reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children show that at least half of the photos found to be shared by sexual abusers are actually initially posted by parents. France recently proposed legislature that will ensure sharenting is regulated, protecting the privacy of youth, and taking a stand against sexual abusers hiding behind the screens of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
French Efforts
Unanimously approved by The French National Assembly, this regulatory draft will protect children's rights to images of themselves, and includes other restrictive measures like screen-time limits and age verification, to help shelter underage individuals from overexposure on the internet. The MP who presented the bill,
Bruno Studer drew attention to the fact that even when youth don't have personal accounts, by 13, most "children have 1,300 photos of themselves circulating on social media." (Kayali, Politico) While the bill still has to pass in the Senate, the conversation it has created across the world will be essential as humanity continues to accelerate into an unpredictable relationship with the internet.
What does this have to do with IP law?
Many previous privacy regulations have focused on copyright ownership and the use of personal image for sharing and promotion via social media. The new privacy initiative from France could change this approach. While copyright ownership will maintain itself as an essential defense mechanism in terms of posting rights; the proposed restrictions and dual responsibility from parental parties will add a layer of protection for youth on social media if the legislation is upheld in France.
Could This Happen in America?
While America has been a divided country for a long time, and faces an extreme period of division today, the one thing that seems to unite most citizens is the safety and well being of our children. Many will argue with this assertation, however I stand by my belief. It is engrained into our patriotism to single out and persecute (or at least dissuade) sexual predators from taking advantage of children. That objective is truly at the heart of the proposed French legislation. The government recognizes that sharenting can contribute to an unsavory market on social media, even if done so unconsciously. I predict we will see an increase of this topic circulating through the American press as France's initiatives fall into place. All the world's eyes will be on their nation to see how it is enacted, how it succeeds and fails, and how to implement and learn from Frances forward thinking actions for our own children's safety.
This is such an important topic. If you found this post informative please share it on your social platforms to help raise awareness. The links below also have more information. You can also follow me @Kayla_Konnection on instagram or @kaylakonnection on Pinterest to stay up to date.
Thank you!
Kayla
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