France Approves Law to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

France Passes Bill Banning Children Under 15 from Social Media

The National Assembly of France has voted in favor of a bill that would ban children under 15 years old from using social media platforms. The lower house approved the legislation by a vote of 130 to 21, and it will now be sent to the Senate for consideration before a final vote.

President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the bill, stating that it is a “major step” to protect French children and teenagers. He cited social media as a factor contributing to violence among young people and emphasized the need to protect minors from online bullying and mental health risks.

The bill would require social media platforms to block access to users under 15 years old through age-verification mechanisms compliant with European Union law. The legislation also extends an existing ban on smartphones in junior and middle schools to cover high schools.

Opponents of the bill, including former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, argued that it is necessary to set a clear boundary in society and protect children’s free minds. Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez described the ban as a response to a “health emergency” caused by social media.

Australia was the first country to implement a similar ban on children under 16 years old, and several other countries are studying the possibility of implementing their own bans. A Harris Interactive survey conducted in 2024 found that 73 percent of the French public supported a ban on social media access for those below 15 years.

The bill will now be reviewed by the Senate before a final vote in the National Assembly.

Source: Al Jazeera