France is setting its sights on a significant policy change, aiming to prohibit social media usage for children under the age of 15 and limit cellphone use in high schools starting next year, as reported by local outlet Le Monde on Tuesday.
This ambitious proposal seeks to tackle the growing concerns over excessive screen time and the various dangers lurking online for minors, such as exposure to inappropriate content. President Emmanuel Macron has consistently pointed to social media as a factor contributing to violent behavior among youth.
According to a draft law highlighted by Le Monde, numerous studies and reports have brought attention to the multitude of risks associated with adolescents’ excessive digital screen use. The document warns that unrestricted online access leaves children vulnerable to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and disruptions to their sleep patterns.
The initiative aligns with a global trend towards protecting younger users from digital harms. In December, Australia made headlines with its groundbreaking ban on social media for those under 16, limiting access to popular platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal underscores the urgent need to address these issues, offering a proactive solution to curtail the negative impact of social media on young minds.
The proposal follows Australia’s lead after the country introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16 years old in December, restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Macron is aiming for Parliament to debate the proposal in January, with a potential start date of September next year, according to the local outlet.
In June, Macron said he wanted to push for similar regulations across the European Union (EU), following a fatal school stabbing in eastern France that shocked the nation in April, Reuters reported.
A 13-year-old girl is using her smartphone in a dark room. (iStock)
Macron has previously taken numerous steps to protect minors digitally. However, technical challenges, including EU legal constraints and weak enforcement, have limited the effectiveness of such measures.
Cellphones have already been banned in French elementary and middle schools since 2018, according to Le Monde.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enacted a world-first social media ban in December, barring children under 16 from using major platforms. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In 2023, France reportedly attempted to pass a law calling for a “digital legal age,” which required parental consent for social media users under 15 years old. The law, however, was blocked by EU regulations.
In November, the European Parliament urged the EU to set minimum social media ages to tackle adolescent mental health issues, though final decisions rest with its member states, Reuters reported.
