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France is taking one of Europe’s toughest stances yet on children’s digital lives. Backed by broad political support, a new bill aims to block under-15s from social media, citing rising mental health concerns and online harm.

If approved, the legislation could reshape how young teenagers interact online—and place France alongside Australia as a global test case for age-based social media bans.

France’s Parliament Takes a Stand on Youth and Screens

France’s National Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms. The measure passed on Monday by a margin of 116 votes to 23, signaling rare cross-party consensus on an issue that has increasingly alarmed parents, educators, and policymakers.

The bill now heads to the French Senate for review before returning to the lower house for a final vote. If enacted, it would mark a major shift in how the country regulates children’s access to digital platforms.

According to a Reuters report, the legislation reflects mounting concern over online bullying, excessive screen time, and the psychological effects of social media on young users.

What the Proposed Law Would Do

At its core, the bill would ban children under 15 from using social media platforms entirely. Crucially, it also targets “social networking functionalities” embedded within larger digital services, closing potential loopholes that allow interaction features to exist inside games or entertainment platforms.

To enforce the ban, social media companies would be required to implement age-verification systems that comply with European Union data protection and privacy laws. Platforms failing to block access could face regulatory consequences under French and EU frameworks.

Lawmakers argue that the measure is designed not to punish children, but to push tech companies to take responsibility for the environments they create.

Macron Pushes for Swift Implementation

President Emmanuel Macron has been a vocal supporter of tougher rules around youth access to social media. He has repeatedly linked digital platforms to rising violence, bullying, and emotional distress among young people.

Macron wants the ban in place before the start of the next academic year in September, framing the issue as a matter of public safety and long-term social health.

France’s push follows Australia’s landmark decision to prohibit under-16s from major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. That ban, which came into force in December, is the first of its kind globally and has drawn intense international attention.

“A Clear Boundary for Society”

Presenting the bill to lawmakers, centrist legislator Laure Miller described the legislation as a necessary cultural reset.

She argued that social media has fundamentally altered how children grow, learn, and relate to one another. Young people, she said, are reading less, sleeping less, and constantly measuring themselves against curated online images.

“This is about drawing a line,” Miller told the chamber, according to Reuters. “Social media is not harmless, and protecting free minds requires setting limits.”

Support for the bill extended beyond the political center. Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez framed the issue in stark terms, calling unchecked social media use among children a “health emergency” and questioning the long-term cost of unrestricted digital expression on younger generations.

Europe Watches Closely

France’s proposal is part of a broader European debate over children’s digital rights and protections. While the European Parliament has urged the EU to establish minimum age standards for social media access, enforcement remains the responsibility of individual member states.

Australia’s experience is now being closely examined by governments in Britain, Denmark, Spain, and Greece, all of which are weighing similar restrictions.

French officials see the proposed ban as both a national safeguard and a potential model for coordinated European action, particularly as concerns over youth mental health continue to grow across the continent.

Public Opinion Strongly Backs Restrictions

Public sentiment appears firmly on the side of tighter controls. A Harris Interactive survey conducted in 2024 found that 73% of respondents supported banning social media access for children under 15.

That backing has given lawmakers confidence to move forward despite predictable resistance from tech companies and civil liberties advocates who warn about enforcement challenges and privacy risks.

On the streets of Paris, reactions among teenagers themselves are mixed. Some acknowledge that social media can be toxic, addictive, and emotionally draining. Others argue that a blanket ban goes too far and fails to recognize how deeply online platforms are woven into modern social life.

Enforcement Challenges Remain

Despite strong political momentum, enforcing age-based bans has proven difficult elsewhere. Australia’s government has already admitted that its rollout has been uneven, with underage users publicly boasting about their ability to bypass restrictions.

French authorities are aware of these challenges but insist that imperfect enforcement should not be an excuse for inaction. The bill places the burden squarely on platforms to develop robust verification tools, rather than relying on self-reported ages.

Still, privacy advocates caution that age verification systems must be carefully designed to avoid excessive data collection or surveillance of users.

Schools and Smartphones Also Targeted

Beyond social media, the legislation would expand France’s existing ban on smartphone use in junior and middle schools to include high schools as well. The move reflects a broader effort to reduce digital distractions in educational settings and encourage in-person interaction.

Education officials argue that limiting phone use during school hours has already improved concentration and classroom behavior at lower grade levels.

What Comes Next

If approved by the Senate and finalized later this year, the law could take effect as early as September, aligning with Macron’s timeline. That would give platforms only months to adapt their systems or risk non-compliance.

The decision could also intensify pressure on the European Union to move toward unified digital age standards, especially if France’s approach proves politically popular.

A Turning Point in the Digital Childhood Debate

France’s proposed ban underscores a growing global reckoning over how much access children should have to powerful online platforms. While the long-term impact remains uncertain, the message from Paris is clear: protecting young people now takes priority over unfettered digital freedom.

As governments grapple with balancing innovation, rights, and responsibility, France’s decision may help define the next chapter in regulating the digital lives of children.

(With inputs from Reuters.)

 

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