France Accelerates Legislation to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15
In a decisive move to protect young minds, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his government will fast-track legislation to implement a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15. The proposed law aims to come into effect by September, coinciding with the start of the next academic year.
Macron's Strong Stance Against Digital Platforms
In a video statement released late Saturday by French broadcaster BFM-TV, President Macron emphasized the urgency of the matter. He revealed that he has directed his administration to initiate an accelerated legal procedure to ensure the bill progresses swiftly through the Senate.
"The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale," Macron declared. "The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated. Neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms."
This announcement follows closely on the heels of similar considerations by the British government, which is also exploring bans for young teenagers as part of broader efforts to safeguard children from harmful online content and excessive screen time.
Alarming Statistics on Teen Smartphone Usage
Recent data from France's health watchdog paints a concerning picture of digital consumption among youth. According to their findings:
- One in two teenagers spends between two and five hours daily on smartphones.
- Approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet.
- Among these users, 58% utilize their devices primarily for social networking platforms.
A December report from the same agency highlighted multiple detrimental effects associated with social media usage, including:
- Diminished self-esteem among young users
- Increased exposure to content promoting risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use, and suicide
The severity of these issues is underscored by several French families who have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging connections between teen suicides and harmful content on the platform.
Legislative Details and Broader Implications
Macron's office confirmed that the video message was specifically addressed to lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the bill scheduled for examination in a public parliamentary session on Monday.
"We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools," Macron stated. "I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward."
This French initiative joins a growing international trend of regulatory measures targeting children's digital safety. In Australia, where similar restrictions ban social media for those under 16, officials report that platforms have revoked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children.
The Australian legislation sparked extensive debates encompassing technology usage, privacy concerns, child safety protocols, and mental health considerations, prompting other nations to evaluate comparable protective measures.
