French Lawmakers Support Bill to Restrict Social Media for Children

A new bill in France aims to prohibit social media use for children under 15, which one lawmaker described as a “fight for free spirits.” The legislation also seeks to ban cell phone usage in high schools and passed with a significant majority—130 votes in favor and only 21 against. It will now be reviewed by the Senate for a final vote.

“With this law, we are establishing clear societal boundaries and recognizing that social media is not without its dangers,” said French lawmaker Laure Miller during the parliamentary session. “Our children are reading less, losing sleep, and increasingly comparing themselves to others. This is, without a doubt, a battle for free minds.”

President Macron has pushed for lawmakers to implement this ban ahead of the new academic year starting in September. “A ban on social media for those under 15 is what scientists suggest and what the French populace largely supports,” he commented after the vote. “Children’s minds shouldn’t be exploited by American or Chinese platforms. Their aspirations shouldn’t be controlled by algorithms.”

The initiative to introduce a minimum age for social media usage seems to be gaining momentum throughout Europe. This vote occurred just a few days after the UK government indicated it was considering similar measures to enhance child safety online, particularly to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time.

In December, Australia took a notable step by enacting the first social media ban for children under 16, limiting access to platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

According to a report from a French health authority, nearly half of teenagers spend between two to five hours daily on their smartphones. The same report revealed that around 90% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 use their smartphones for internet access, with 58% using them specifically for social media activities.

The health watchdog has raised concerns about the correlation between heavy social media use and reduced self-esteem, along with an increased likelihood of being exposed to risky behavior content, including self-harm and substance abuse.