France’s National Assembly approved legislation on Monday that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, amid growing concerns over online bullying, mental health, and digital well-being. The bill, which passed with 116 votes in favor and 23 against, targets social networking functionalities embedded within broader platforms and reflects increasing public concern about the potential harms of social media on young users. The legislation now moves to the Senate before a final vote in the lower house.
President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted social media as a contributing factor in youth violence and is advocating for the law to take effect in time for the next academic year in September. Macron is encouraging France to follow Australia’s example, which in December introduced a world-first ban for under-16s on platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Supporters of the bill in France have framed the legislation as a measure to protect children from the pressures of constant comparison, reduced sleep, and declining reading habits. Centrist lawmaker Laure Miller described the bill as a step toward establishing clear societal boundaries around digital engagement for minors.
Enforcement of such bans relies on age-verification systems compliant with European Union regulations. While Australia’s rollout of its under-16 ban faced challenges, including minors circumventing restrictions by misrepresenting their ages, France aims to implement similar safeguards alongside extending an existing restriction on smartphone use in schools to cover high school students. Public support for limiting access to social media among younger teens is strong, with a 2024 Harris Interactive survey showing that 73% of respondents favored a ban for under-15s. Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez called the move a response to a “health emergency,” emphasizing the risks posed by unregulated social media use.
Reaction among teenagers in Paris is mixed, with some acknowledging the potential dangers of social media on mental health and others viewing the restriction as excessive. European lawmakers have also considered establishing minimum ages for social media access across the EU, though implementation remains the responsibility of individual member states. The French legislation is part of a wider global discussion on regulating social media for minors, reflecting growing awareness of digital risks and the need to balance online engagement with safety and well-being.
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