Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday spoke about the need to protect children from the harms of artificial intelligence and social media. “We must be more vigilant about children’s safety.
“Just as the curriculum is carefully curated, the AI space must also be child-safe and family-oriented,” Modi said at the India AI Impact Summit. Addressing the summit earlier, Macron expressed hope that India would join France and other countries in banning social media networks for children under the age of 15, stressing that protecting children is not only about regulation, but also about civilisation. He said there is no reason to expose children to online content that is legally prohibited in the real world. Governments must work together for a secure network: Macron The French leader sounded an optimistic note about India being part of the AI revolution and benefiting from it. Supporting India and Europe’s AI aspirations, he said India has proven the world wrong after it was told a decade ago that it could not bring 1.4 billion people into the digital economy. Regarding banning the use of social media networks for children under the age of 15, Macron said that France has begun the journey, with many European countries committing to this.
Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16, and in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s party, the TDP, has pushed for regulation along the same lines. “I know, Mr. Prime Minister, that you will join this club. This is great news that India will join such an approach to protecting children and adolescents,” he said, referring to Narendra Modi who was in the audience along with other global leaders and technology bigwigs. India is discussing the issue of restricting children’s access to social media, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said on Tuesday. “Our platforms, governments and regulators must work together to make the internet and social media a safe place,” Macron said. He also stressed France’s shared vision with India to ensure universal access to AI at a time when it has become a “key area of strategic competition.” “Domination from any quarter is not inevitable. There is a path to innovation, independence and strategic independence. I am convinced that this path is what countries like France and India must take together,” he said, praising India for the progress it has made in providing digital access, be it for identity or financial transactions, to all its residents.
“This is not just a story of technology. It is a story of civilization,” he said. “Access for all is crucial. France and India share a common vision: a sovereign environment used to protect our planet and promote prosperity for all.” He said Al’s future will be built by those who combine innovation, responsibility, technology and humanity. “India and France will help shape this future together. We are determined to continue shaping the rules of the game. And to do so with our allies because we believe in fundamental shared values.”
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