In response to the rise of social networks and the phenomenon of “sharenting“, the French law issued on February 19, 2024 marks a significant step forward in protecting children’s rights. By explicitly introducing minors’ image rights to the Civil Code, this reform aims to regulate parental practices that often overlook the dangers associated with sharing images of children online.
A long-awaited legislative evolution
In February 2024, France reached a new milestone in protecting children’s rights with the adoption of Law No. 2024-120. This text marks a turning point by explicitly introducing children’s image rights to the Civil Code, as part of provisions relating to parental authority. As the phenomenon of sharenting – the practice of sharing images of one’s children on social networks – has intensified with the rise of digital technology, this legislation aims to regulate a practice that, while often perceived as harmless, can have serious consequences for minors’ privacy (Le Monde, 2024).
Before this law, children’s image rights were protected only indirectly, through case law. Parents were considered the natural guardians of their child’s likeness, but no specific legislation was included in the Civil Code to regulate this responsibility. With this reform, lawmakers have stated clearly that protecting a child’s privacy and likeness must be a priority for those with parental authority. Parents, often unaware of the dangers associated with sharing images of their children online, are now reminded that they do not have absolute rights over this aspect of their children’s lives (Mallevaey, 2024).
A response to digital challenges
Digital technology has transformed society and, by extension, family relationships. On average, 53% of French parents post images of their children online, and a child appears in 1,300 photographs posted online before the age of 13, according to the Observatory of Parenthood and Digital Education (Baillon-Wirtz, 2024).
Lawmakers point out that, in the future, these photos could harm the child and be misused for malicious purposes, particularly in cases of cyberbullying. Another danger lies in the publication of images containing nudity or swimwear. Politicians warn that half of the photos circulating on pedophile forums come from content initially shared by parents or the children themselves (France Culture, 2024).
In this sense, the 2024 law does more than just declare intentions – it offers concrete tools to protect children. From now on, both parents must consult each other and act jointly before sharing images of their child, taking the child’s opinion into account. In the event of disagreement, a judge can intervene and prohibit one parent from publishing content without the other’s consent. Accompanying this provision is the judge’s ability to impose a forced delegation of parental authority in cases of serious harm to the child’s dignity or moral integrity (Le Monde, 2024).
Strengthened protection, but is it enough?
While this legislation marks undeniable progress, it also raises questions about its real effectiveness. Critics, such as the president of La Voix de l’Enfant (“The Child’s Voice”), Martine Brousse, believe that the law lacks ambition, although they welcome the political initiative. Brousse calls for deeper reflection and the development of more ambitious legislation on digital matters. Others, such as La France Insoumise member Andy Kerbrat, from Loire-Atlantique, see this law as a partial response to a legal void, but insist on the need for broader measures, such as the establishment of specialized teams to better detect abuse and strengthen control mechanisms (Alfonsi, 2024).
For some observers, this law is more of a symbolic gesture than a real transformation of parental practices. Indeed, despite stricter regulations, the concrete means to enforce this new legislation remain limited. Minors lack the capacity to take legal action against their own parents to protect their own image, often leaving them without recourse against unwanted exposure (Mallevaey, 2024).
Thus, this law cannot claim to solve all problems related to the protection of children’s images. For example, it does not cover the sharing of photos by family members or friends, as it limits image protection to parental authority, placing responsibility solely on the parents (Baillon-Wirtz, 2024).
A positive development
The 2024 law is part of a series of recent legislative reforms aimed at better regulating the use of children’s images in the digital world. It complements other advances, such as regulations on the commercial exploitation of minors’ images, and the setting of 15 as a digital age of consent, from which a minor may independently consent to the processing of their personal data (Défenseur des Droits, 2022).
The law of February 19, 2024 is a significant response to the challenges posed by digital technology to children’s privacy. While it may not mark a revolution in practice, it sends a strong message to parents about the importance of protecting their children’s images. Respecting children’s privacy is now a legal priority, but it is ultimately up to society to ensure that this priority is translated into concrete and effective actions.
Towards necessary parental awareness
For this law to fully achieve its goals, it must be accompanied by a widespread awareness campaign aimed at parents. The challenge is not just legal, but also educational. Understanding the risks associated with posting children’s images on social networks is essential to prevent harmful situations. Information campaigns, such as those suggested by experts, could include educational clips broadcast on television or the internet, illustrating potential dangers and best practices to adopt (Alfonsi, 2024).
It is also crucial to strengthen parental control systems and provide tools that allow parents to effectively protect their children online. The widespread implementation of parental controls on internet access, as enshrined in previous laws, should be seen as an indispensable complement to this legislation (Baillon-Wirtz, 2024).
Humanium is dedicated to protecting children’s rights, which includes ensuring children’s right to privacy by guaranteeing their safety in the digital world. In 2021, for example, Humanium made a contribution to General Comment No. 25, responding to the United Nations’ call to involve NGOs in developing guidelines to protect children’s rights in the digital environment. Your participation is important. Consider volunteering, becoming a member, or donating if our mission resonates with you.
Written by Jeanne-Marie Quashie
Translated by Karolina Hofman
Proofread by Alex Macpherson
Bibliography:
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