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France Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-15s by School Year Start
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an accelerated legislative process to implement a ban on social media for children under the age of 15, aiming for the restriction to take effect by September when the new school year begins.
In a video statement released Saturday by French broadcaster BFM-TV, Macron emphasized the urgency of protecting young people from digital exploitation. “The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale,” Macron declared. “The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated. Neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms.”
The president has requested his government to expedite procedures to ensure the proposed legislation moves swiftly through parliament and receives Senate approval in time for the fall implementation. The announcement comes amid growing international concern about social media’s impact on youth mental health and development.
France’s health watchdog recently highlighted alarming statistics about teenage technology use, reporting that half of all teenagers spend between two and five hours daily on smartphones. The December report revealed that approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, with 58% specifically using their devices for social networks.
The health authority identified numerous harmful effects associated with social media use among young people, including diminished self-esteem and increased exposure to content glorifying dangerous behaviors such as self-harm, drug use, and suicide. The issue has become particularly sensitive in France, where several families have initiated legal action against TikTok, alleging the platform’s role in teenage suicides through exposure to harmful content.
Macron’s office confirmed to The Associated Press that his video statement was addressed to lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the bill scheduled for examination in a public session on Monday. The proposed legislation represents part of a broader approach to protecting youth.
“We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools,” Macron stated. “I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward.”
France’s initiative mirrors similar movements in other countries. The United Kingdom government recently announced it is considering banning young teenagers from social media platforms as part of strengthened laws designed to shield children from harmful content and excessive screen time.
Australia has already implemented such restrictions, banning social media use for those under 16. Since the law’s implementation, social media companies have revoked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children, according to Australian officials. However, the policy has sparked intense debates about technology use, privacy concerns, child safety, and mental health implications.
The French proposal comes at a time when global regulators are increasingly scrutinizing tech platforms’ engagement with young users. Digital policy experts note that enforcement remains a significant challenge, as age verification systems can be circumvented and platforms have historically struggled to identify underage users effectively.
If implemented, France’s ban would represent one of the most stringent regulations on youth social media access in Europe, potentially establishing a precedent for other European Union nations considering similar protective measures.
Child development specialists have generally welcomed these initiatives, citing research suggesting links between excessive social media use and rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among adolescents. However, civil liberties organizations have raised concerns about the potential impact on digital literacy and free expression rights for young people.
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10 Comments
From a public health standpoint, this initiative makes sense. The negative mental health impacts of social media on young people are well-documented. However, the logistics of implementing and enforcing such a ban will be complex.
Absolutely. Policymakers will need to carefully consider the technical, legal, and social implications to ensure the ban achieves its intended goals without creating unintended consequences.
Protecting children’s mental health and development from social media exploitation is certainly a worthy goal. However, the details and practicalities of such a ban will be crucial in determining its effectiveness and fairness.
Agreed. Any legislation should be carefully crafted to balance the legitimate concerns over youth wellbeing with the practical realities of how young people use technology today.
While I understand the motivation behind this proposal, outright banning social media for under-15s seems like a rather blunt approach. Couldn’t more nuanced solutions, like digital literacy education, be explored instead?
That’s a fair perspective. A comprehensive strategy incorporating education, parental controls, and targeted restrictions may be more effective than a blanket ban.
This is an interesting and ambitious move by the French government. I’m curious to see how it is received both domestically and internationally. Balancing children’s wellbeing with technological realities will be a delicate challenge.
Well said. This issue touches on fundamental questions about the role of technology in modern childhood. The outcome of this policy debate will be closely watched.
This is an ambitious and potentially controversial move by the French government. I’m curious to see how they plan to enforce such a ban and whether it will have the desired impact on limiting social media’s influence on children.
Good point. Enforcement will be a major challenge, especially with the global, decentralized nature of social media platforms. Careful implementation will be key.