France bans social media for under-15s and phones in classrooms

France has become the first European Union nation to implement a sweeping ban on social media for individuals under 15, alongside a prohibition on mobile phones in schools. The legislation, a flagship initiative of President Emmanuel Macron's second term, passed both legislative chambers on Tuesday, reflecting growing global concerns about the detrimental impact of digital content on young people.

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We have been campaigning for this bill from the beginning because, frankly, we have no other choice, there is no other way to counteract the giants of technology.

The new law comes amid lawsuits filed by French families against TikTok, alleging that harmful content contributed to adolescent suicides. Child welfare advocates and parents have welcomed the parliamentary vote. "We have been campaigning for this bill from the beginning because, frankly, we have no other choice, there is no other way to counteract the tech giants," stated Gaëlle Berbonde, a 52-year-old Parisian resident. She emphasized the necessity of protecting children, comparing it to safeguarding them from alcohol consumption.

Berbonde shared a personal account of her daughter's struggles with self-harm, anorexia, and depression, which began in seventh grade after receiving her first mobile phone. Despite parental controls, the extent of TikTok's influence remained unknown until the daughter required extensive hospitalization. Now 16, she has recovered.

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The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect our children from drinking alcohol.

While the law is slated to take effect at the start of the new school year in September, a constitutional review may cause delays. Legislators from the far-left La France Insoumise party raised concerns about the law's constitutionality, its potential to eliminate online anonymity, and enforceability challenges. Legal experts also note that implementing the ban, particularly regarding existing accounts of minors and age verification for new ones, will require further development.

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France is leading the way in Europe in protecting our children and our adolescents. We will move forward.