Critics of the new French social media ban warn that the policy may be difficult to implement effectively and could inadvertently compromise user privacy. The primary concern is that requiring platforms to verify the age of every user necessitates the collection of more personal data, such as government IDs or biometric information. This creates a new, significant security risk, as these databases become prime targets for hackers. If platforms are forced to store sensitive identity documents, the potential for data breaches could put the very children the law intends to protect at greater risk.
There are also concerns regarding the technical feasibility of these age-verification systems. Skeptics point out that determined minors will likely find ways to bypass these gates, such as using VPNs or falsifying information, rendering the policy ineffective. This creates a false sense of security for parents while potentially driving young users toward less regulated or more dangerous corners of the internet. Furthermore, the policy could lead to a fragmented digital experience, where young people are excluded from legitimate online communities and educational resources that are increasingly hosted on these platforms.
Finally, some argue that this approach ignores the root causes of digital harm, focusing instead on a blunt instrument of restriction. Critics suggest that digital literacy and education would be more effective than a top-down ban. By restricting access, the government may be missing an opportunity to teach young people how to navigate the digital world safely and critically. The reliance on state-mandated barriers risks creating a 'walled garden' that does not prepare adolescents for the realities of the modern, interconnected world.