france approves social
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France approves social media ban for under-15s

ByJustpaste.in

France has approved legislation that will restrict children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with the new rules expected to take effect in January 2027.

Under the law, social media platforms will have to verify the age of every user before allowing access to their services. The government says the measure aims to protect children from the potential harmful effects of excessive social media use, particularly concerns surrounding mental health, online safety, and exposure to inappropriate content.

The move would make France the first European country to introduce such a broad age-based restriction on social media access. Authorities believe stronger safeguards are necessary as concerns continue to grow over the impact of social media on young people’s emotional well-being and development.

The new rules will require social media companies to introduce reliable age-verification systems to prevent children below the minimum age from creating or maintaining accounts. The government is expected to work with technology companies and regulators to ensure that platforms comply with the new requirements.

The decision comes as several other countries consider similar measures. The United Kingdom and the European Union are also examining ways to strengthen protections for children online, including possible age restrictions and tighter controls on social media platforms.

Supporters of the French legislation argue that children need greater protection from the risks associated with prolonged social media exposure. However, the policy may also face challenges over privacy, enforcement, and how platforms can verify users’ ages without collecting excessive personal information.

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    At least 30 children, most of them believed to be British, may have been conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents. The allegations have emerged from an investigation into fertility clinics in the region, raising serious concerns about the treatment of international patients and the regulation of fertility services. The parents involved say they carefully chose anonymous donors before undergoing treatment. Their decisions were based on detailed information provided by clinics, including the donors’ medical backgrounds, physical appearance, education, personalities, interests and hobbies. However, after their children were born, some parents began to question whether the donors they had selected were actually used during their IVF procedures. The latest investigation has identified at least 30 cases in which parents believe the wrong sperm or egg donors may have been used. This is a significant increase from the seven cases . Around half of the children were reportedly conceived following treatment at Dogus IVF Centre, a fertility clinic in northern Cyprus. Several individuals involved in the treatment of these patients have come under scrutiny, including doctors Firdevs Uguz Tip and Sevket Alpturk, as well as patient coordinator Julie Hodson. One mother, identified as Rachel, said she recently discovered that the sperm donor used during her treatment may not have been the donor she had chosen. She described the situation as extremely shocking and unacceptable. The parents have raised concerns that staff members at the clinic may have provided misleading information about the donors. Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip has denied any wrongdoing. The investigation has also uncovered information about the relationship between Dogus IVF Centre and Cryos International, one of the world’s largest sperm banks. Cryos placed Dogus on its blacklist in 2016, adding another concern surrounding the clinic’s practices. Northern Cyprus has become a popular destination for British and other international patients seeking fertility treatment. The region offers relatively low treatment costs, reportedly high success rates and access to a wide selection of sperm and egg donors. However, its regulatory system is significantly different from that of European Union countries. Northern Cyprus is internationally recognised only by Turkey, and EU laws do not apply there. Fertility clinics in the territory have been described as operating under relatively loose regulation, raising questions about oversight and accountability. According to previous reports on the emerging allegations in March, when seven parents came forward with concerns that they may have been misled about the donors used in their treatments. Following those reports, the Ministry of Health in northern Cyprus said it had opened an official investigation. However, the ministry has reportedly failed to provide further information. Many parents said clinics had promised them donors who had undergone health screening and were from Western European backgrounds. Their suspicions reportedly grew after their children were born. DNA testing has provided further evidence that has intensified these concerns. Eleven of the 30 children have undergone commercial DNA tests, with results indicating genetic ancestry connected to Turkey or nearby regions. According to the investigation, these results may suggest that the donors selected by the parents were not the individuals whose genetic material was ultimately used. The allegations have caused distress among affected families, many of whom travelled abroad believing they were receiving carefully selected fertility treatment. The growing number of cases is now raising serious questions about donor identification, patient information, clinic accountability and the regulation of fertility services in northern Cyprus.

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    Iran, Oman move toward temporary Hormuz shipping c…

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    Israel quietly receives advanced INS Drakon submar…

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    Trump reportedly left Türkiye on secret flight amid Iran threat

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    Tipu Usman seeks closer media engagement to strengthen Pakistan’s UK diaspora outreach

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