PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for a swift legal process to implement a social media ban for children under 15 by September, coinciding with the start of the new school year.
In a video shared by BFM television, Macron expressed his desire for the government to expedite the proposed bill in order to have it ready for Senate approval soon.
“The brains of our children and teenagers are not for sale,” he asserted. “Their emotions should not be manipulated, not by American companies or Chinese algorithms.”
This announcement follows a similar move by the British government, which is exploring options to limit social media access for teenagers as part of a broader strategy to strengthen protections against harmful online content and excessive usage.
According to France’s health authority, roughly half of teenagers spend between two and five hours daily on their smartphones. A December report indicated that around 90% of kids aged 12 to 17 use smartphones for internet access, with 58% engaging in social networking.
The findings point to numerous adverse effects stemming from social media use, such as decreased self-esteem and heightened exposure to risky content related to self-harm, drug use, and suicide. Several families in France have taken legal action against TikTok, claiming that it promotes harmful materials linked to teenage suicide.
Macron’s office noted that the video was aimed at lawmaker Laure Miller, who is advocating for the bill that will be discussed in public parliament on Monday.
“We will prohibit social media for those under 15 and also disallow mobile phone use in high schools,” Macron stated. “It’s a straightforward rule. Clear for teens, families, and educators; we’re making progress.”
In Australia, authorities reported that around 4.7 million accounts, believed to belong to minors, were shut down after the country enforced a ban on under-16s using social media. This legislation has ignited significant discussions about technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health, influencing other nations to ponder similar actions.
