France Social Media Ban: Following Australia’s lead, France has now imposed a ban on social media use for children. The French National Assembly has passed a bill that prohibits children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. The decision has reportedly been driven by growing concerns over children’s mental health, cyberbullying, and rising youth violence.
France Social Media Ban: Social media banned in France
The proposal to set a minimum age for social media use is gaining momentum across Europe. The new bill also includes a clause to ban mobile phone usage in high schools. It was passed by the French National Assembly late Monday night, with 130 lawmakers voting in favor and 21 opposing it.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the swift implementation of the legislation, which will now be forwarded to the Senate for deliberation in the coming weeks.
Macron’s social media ban: Social media ban necessary for children
After the vote, French President Emmanuel Macron said that banning social media for children under 15 is necessary. He said, “This is the recommendation of scientists and a strong demand of the French public. The minds of our children are not for sale, neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Their dreams should not be controlled by algorithms.”
Social Media Restriction France: Social media addiction leads to lack of confidence in children
French health authorities have raised serious concerns over the growing smartphone usage among teenagers. According to government data, nearly half of French adolescents spend between two and five hours daily on their phones, and the majority of children aged 12 to 17 use social media on a daily basis. Health experts warn that social media addiction is undermining young people’s self-esteem and increasingly exposing them to harmful and inappropriate content.
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