France's Controversial Child Tech Monitoring Law: Balancing Safety and Privacy

France Implements National Database for Parental Monitoring of Children's Devices France is set to introduce a new law on December 13th, 2025, requiring parents to register any connected devices owned by their children under the age of 12 in a national database. This initiative aims to monitor children's screen time, app usage, and online activity to protect them from potential harms such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. The government asserts this is a crucial step in safeguarding children's mental well-being. "The goal is to protect children from the dangers of excessive screen time and harmful content," explained a government spokesperson. However, the measure has sparked significant controversy. Privacy advocates express concerns about potential data misuse and the extensive surveillance of children's digital lives. "This is an overreach of government power," argues one privacy activist. "It's a step towards a more intrusive digital surveillance state." The debate highlights the complex challenges of balancing children's safety in the digital age with fundamental rights to privacy. The long-term effects of this law remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly signifies a major development in the ongoing conversation about digital parenting and child protection in France.