France's National Assembly has taken a first step towards banning social media access for under-15s, a proposal backed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Lawmakers in the lower house on Monday agreed on key elements of the bill, which now awaits a full vote. This legislation requires approval from the upper house, the Senate, before becoming law.
If enacted, this law would restrict young teenagers from using popular networks such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. This initiative resonates with a growing global trend seeking to limit social media engagement among minors due to rising concerns over mental health issues related to these platforms.
Laure Miller, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized the necessity of this law, stating, With this law we will set down a clear limit in society; social networks are not harmless.
The French government aims to implement the ban before the start of the school year in September. Macron has voiced his commitment, insisting, We cannot leave the mental and emotional health of our children in the hands of people whose sole purpose is to make money out of them.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation includes categorizing social media platforms based on their perceived harm to youths. The government would establish a list of harmful networks deemed inappropriate for under-15s and only allow access to less harmful sites with explicit parental consent.
A similar trend is also emerging in other European countries, with some exploring legislation aligned with Australia’s recent social media restrictions for minors. The proposed French law reflects a significant effort to tackle the issues of mental health in the digital age.
