Francuska uvodi zabranu društvenih mreža

Italy launched a nationwide police operation targeting youth crime on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of 539 individuals, including 47 minors. According to authorities, another 954 people were charged during the crackdown. The operation took place across 44 provinces, with law enforcement focusing primarily on drug trafficking areas and nightlife districts. Approximately 188,000 people were checked, including over 19,000 minors. During the raids, police seized around 703 kilograms of drugs, approximately 307,000 euros in cash, 49 firearms, 87 knives, and numerous suspected stolen items. Officers inspected 1,182 buildings, including shelters for unaccompanied minor migrants, arcades, shops, public spaces, train stations, and shopping centers. Additionally, investigators identified 973 social media profiles that allegedly promoted hatred and violence. The Italian police action was part of a broader effort to combat juvenile delinquency. The operation included checking premises associated with youth activity, such as migrant shelters, which have been linked to criminal behavior in some cases. Authorities emphasized that the focus was on both preventing crime and addressing the root causes behind it. The scale of the operation indicates a serious commitment to tackling organized crime involving young people, particularly in urban areas where such activities are more prevalent. France has become the first European Union country to implement a ban on social media for children under the age of 15. Following approval by the French Senate earlier in the week, the National Assembly passed the legislation late Thursday evening. The new law aims to mitigate the harmful effects of social media on adolescents' mental health. It mandates that new accounts created on social networks must comply with the restrictions starting September 1. Existing accounts will have a four-month transition period until January 1, 2027, after which all accounts belonging to users under 15 years old will be closed. President Emmanuel Macron stated that existing accounts of underage users would be shut down within this timeframe. The legislation expands the current prohibition on mobile phones in schools from primary and secondary levels to include high school students. However, there are exceptions for educational platforms and digital projects aimed at learning purposes. Platforms such as WhatsApp and YouTube, which partially function as social networks, will need to implement age verification systems for features equivalent to social networking functions, such as sharing channels and comment sections. Features like video viewing and personal messaging remain unaffected by the ban. Health concerns driving the policy include issues like addiction, cyberbullying, sleep disturbances, and the pressure to compare oneself with others or distorted body images. The constant demand for self-presentation and unrealistic expectations can increase the risk of anxiety and depression among teenagers. The French government's decision follows recommendations from a European expert group advocating for EU-wide age limits on social media access. This group suggested that children under three should avoid screen time entirely, while those up to 12 should only access content under parental or teacher supervision. The French proposal initially faced scrutiny from the European Commission, which requested modifications to align the law with EU regulations. The updated version of the bill is now considered compatible with future European legislation. As a result, France's approach could serve as a model for other EU countries considering similar measures. The implementation of the law highlights growing concerns over the impact of digital technology on youth well-being and underscores efforts to create safer online environments for younger generations.