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 agreed on key elements of the bill and are now expected to vote on the full text, which still needs approval from the upper house, the Senate.
If enacted, the legislation would prevent young teenagers from using networks such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.
This move aligns with a global trend towards restricting social media for children due to increasing evidence of its detrimental effects on mental health. Similar legislation was passed last year in Australia.
With this law we will set down a clear limit in society, stated Laure Miller, a lawmaker supporting the bill, emphasizing the harmful nature of social networks.
Macron aims to implement the ban by the start of the school year in September, reinforcing that the health of children should not be left to profit-driven platforms.
The state media regulator will compile a list of harmful social media networks, which would be banned for under 15s. A separate list of less harmful sites could be accessed, but only with parental consent.
This legislative effort potentially has strong support, as pro-Macron parties and other political groups are expected to back the bill as it advances through the legislative process.
A further clause in the bill also proposes banning mobile phones in senior schools, building on existing restrictions for junior and middle schools.
Other European nations, such as Denmark and Greece, are also considering similar measures, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for stricter controls over children’s social media engagement.
