France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s • Hacker News Board

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#31

Post by TheRoque » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:01 AM UTC

mary-ext wrote: post #14

I've noticed that there's a decent amount of people who had benefitted having access to computer and internet really early on that seemed to be pro on banning teen access to social media, is there a reason why? the social media of today don't seem all that much different from the internet forums of back in the day if algorithmic amplification is the reason then I'm not sure why social media as a whole has to be banne…

There are various studies about social media having a negative impact on teenager's mental health.

I don't think internet forums are comparable to what social media are today, in the scale (it was a marginal activity 15 years ago) and the impact it has on your own life.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#32

Post by mungoman2 » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC

mary-ext wrote: post #14

I've noticed that there's a decent amount of people who had benefitted having access to computer and internet really early on that seemed to be pro on banning teen access to social media, is there a reason why? the social media of today don't seem all that much different from the internet forums of back in the day if algorithmic amplification is the reason then I'm not sure why social media as a whole has to be banne…

Imo the difference is enormous between social media and forums.

Infinite feeds are designed to game you for attention, whereas the forums of yore were there to facilitate discussions.

I'm sure some forums would also have liked to game you if they could, but they didn't have the scale to always have something juicy to serve up.

To me it's super uncomfortable to expose my kids to a product designed by large teams with the goal of making it addictive.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#33

Post by vasco » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC

ifh-hn wrote: post #13

SilverElfin wrote: post #9

Violation of privacy under the pretense of protecting children

I can't read the article because cloud flare won't let me, but how is this ban a violation of privacy? From my knowledge of social media it would likely increase the privacy of those not using these platforms.

Because under the guise of protecting children you now require the ID of everyone. And the service list will expand. Can't wait to have to swipe my ID to even start Chrome.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#34

Post by Mordisquitos » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC

mary-ext wrote: post #14

I've noticed that there's a decent amount of people who had benefitted having access to computer and internet really early on that seemed to be pro on banning teen access to social media, is there a reason why? the social media of today don't seem all that much different from the internet forums of back in the day if algorithmic amplification is the reason then I'm not sure why social media as a whole has to be banne…

The people who benefited from having access to a computer and the internet early on had no access to social media. Also, nobody is banning under 15s from having access to a computer and the internet.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#35

Post by yieldcrv » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC

voidfunc wrote: post #28

mary-ext wrote: post #14

I've noticed that there's a decent amount of people who had benefitted having access to computer and internet really early on that seemed to be pro on banning teen access to social media, is there a reason why? the social media of today don't seem all that much different from the internet forums of back in the day if algorithmic amplification is the reason then I'm not sure why social media as a whole has to be banne…

Social media is the rock amd roll of its time. Every generation has to have a panic about the children.

I consider it more like an opium crisis of the time

Where the whole population is addicted and governors risk their political career to ban the addiction, and then get their territory invaded by the corporations they kicked out who have returned with a foreign military and mercenary army, to push the addiction back on the populace

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#36

Post by nkmnz » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:03 AM UTC

This is ridiculous. I went to university at the age of 14 and was absolutely capable of managing my way through social media at that time - but it became much worse in my early 20s when interest in politics peaked. Maybe interest in politics should be outlawed instead, it’s much more harmful.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#37

Post by TheRoque » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:03 AM UTC

vasco wrote: post #27

So I guess in 10 or so years whoever doesn't submit their ID card to every online service in existence will not be able to do much of anything online.

I'm not using any social media besides reddit (if it can even be considered a social media) and I have absolutely 0 problem going through life. What are you talking about ?

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#38

Post by bandrami » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:03 AM UTC

krainboltgreene wrote: post #26

bandrami wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Key word is "broadcast". TV programming is not personally tailored to melt your specific amygdala.

An algo-driven feed is absolutely analogous to a broadcast and saying otherwise is absurd.

I have to assume this is a joke because that's absolutely ludicrous to claim and (if true) would mean the valuation of every social media company is so inflated as to constitute fraud.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#39

Post by terespuwash » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:03 AM UTC

What a weird idea to isolate teens from a platform instead of regulating it. It’s like if children were forbidden to drink a soda at a bar because they also sell alcohol. Enforcing platform’s safety and educating users (young and old) would be much better to help everyone be healthy in a connected world.

Re: France passes bill to ban social media use by under-15s

#40

Post by dotancohen » Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 8:03 AM UTC

krainboltgreene wrote: post #23

vlz wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bad content reaching kids is not the issue. (Well, it is part of it…) The whole thing is bad. We don't give cigarettes to kids either.

Actually, we don't stop kids from buying cigarettes, we punish stores that sell cigarettes to kids and are caught! That's my entire point! You just made my argument for me!

Despite the headline, does this law actually punish the children if they are caught with social media accounts? Or is the burden on the social media providers?