Three things to know about parental controls now mandatory for all connected devices sold in France

A decree that came into force on Saturday, July 13, requires manufacturers of connected devices to offer parental controls, to prevent minors from being overexposed to screens and content that is not suitable for them.

Protecting minors from overexposure to screens. This is the objective of the Studer law, passed in March 2022, which came into force on Saturday, July 13, 2024. From now on, all internet-connected devices marketed in France must be able to offer a parental control feature. Franceinfo takes stock of this system.

A free device that must be easily accessible

The parental control device must be offered to the user “when the equipment is first put into service”the law provides. The objective: to draw parents’ attention to the existence of parental control and confront them directly with its activation, or not.

The proposed device must be free, easily accessible and understandable. It must allow, at a minimum, to block the downloading and access to certain applications, in particular those “likely to harm the physical, mental or moral development of the minors concerned”according to the decree. The control is not able to block the contents that can be viewed online, however, specifies theNational Frequency Agency (ANFR).

For all devices accessible to minors

The obligation in question relates to “terminal equipment intended for the use of online public communication services”. These are computers, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, game consoles and smartwatches… In short, all devices that minors can access, that can be connected to the Internet, and offer an application store.

Manufacturers must therefore offer this device, accessible on all new devices, from July 13.

Used equipment also affected

Used equipment put into circulation after this date must also offer parental controls. Otherwise, they will have to communicate on the device itself and make it known that it exists. “The proposed technical measures are a step in the right direction” but “they don’t [peuvent] not replace parental support related to the use of tools by their children”estimated the founding director of the Observatory of Parenthood and Digital Education (Open), Thomas Rohmer, at the time of the vote on the law.