The French Parliament passed a law prohibiting the use of social media by children under the age of 15
France on Tuesday agreed to impose a nationwide ban on social media use by children under 15, becoming the first European Union country to adopt such a sweeping restriction as governments grapple with the impact of digital platforms on younger users.This legislation, which has the support of both houses of Parliament, is one of the final major measures of President Emmanuel Macron’s second term. In addition to restricting access to social media for children under 15, the law also prohibits the use of cell phones in secondary schools.Macron wants the ban to come into effect at the start of the new school year next September, although it is expected to undergo a constitutional review before implementation.
“France is leading the way in Europe in protecting our children and teenagers,” Macron said after the bill was passed. “We will continue to move forward.”The law excludes electronic encyclopedias and educational and scientific guides.The move comes amid growing concern about the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Several French families have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that harmful content contributed to teen suicides.
Gaëlle Perpond, whose daughter suffered anorexia, depression and self-harm after social media use, said: “We’ve been campaigning for this bill from the beginning because, frankly, we have no other choice, no other way to stand up to the tech giants. The only thing we can do is protect our children, just like we protect our children from drinking alcohol.”However, critics have questioned the practicality and legality of this measure.
Lawmakers from the left-wing France Untethered party said the law could be difficult to enforce and raised concerns about its constitutionality and its implications for online anonymity.According to the French health watchdog, nearly 90% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the Internet, while 58% use them for social media. The agency linked excessive social media use to low self-esteem and increased exposure to harmful content, including material related to self-harm, drug use and suicide.France joins a growing list of countries tightening rules around children’s access to social media. Australia has already agreed to impose a ban on users under 16, while Spain, Denmark, Greece and the UK are considering similar restrictions. The European Commission is also considering bloc-wide measures to strengthen children’s online protection.
