World News
France Moves to Ban Social Media for Young Teens
Clear Facts
- France’s National Assembly approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15.
- The legislation passed with a 116 to 23 vote and now proceeds to the Senate.
- The bill requires platforms to block young teens using age-verification methods that comply with European Union law.
French lawmakers overwhelmingly supported legislative efforts to ban social media for those under 15, increasing protections due to mental health and safety concerns. The bill calls for platforms to implement robust age-verification to ensure compliance.
President Emmanuel Macron has urged swift action to have the ban set before the next school year. He referenced Australia’s similar law, highlighting its leadership in protecting children online.
“With this law, we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying social media is not harmless,” Laure Miller, a centrist lawmaker, said when introducing the bill.
She emphasized the risks of online exposure, noting, “Our children are reading less, sleeping less, and comparing themselves to one another more. This is a battle for free minds.”
Far-right representative Thierry Perez described the move as answering a “health emergency.”
“Social media has allowed everyone to express themselves, but at what cost to our children?” Perez said.
The legislation expands existing rules by extending a ban on smartphones in schools to include high schools. Public support is strong, with a 2024 poll showing 73% of citizens back restricting social media for under-15s.
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