France bans social media for under-15s, first in EU

France has enacted a sweeping ban on social media for children under 15, marking a first within the European Union. The legislation, part of President Emmanuel Macron's second-term agenda, also prohibits mobile phone use in secondary schools. This move reflects escalating concerns over the detrimental effects of digital content on young people's well-being.

The ban, set to take effect in the autumn with the new school year, excludes internet encyclopedias and educational or scientific databases. Both chambers of the French parliament approved the measure, though members of the far-left La France Insoumise party opposed it, citing constitutional uncertainties and practical implementation challenges.

Supporters of the law, including child rights advocates and parental organizations, have welcomed the decision. Data from the French Public Health authority indicates that half of teenagers spend two to five hours daily on their smartphones. Approximately 90 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds use mobile phones for internet access, with 58 percent engaging with social media platforms.

The public health authority has highlighted various negative consequences associated with social media use, such as diminished self-esteem and exposure to risky behaviors, including self-harm, drug use, and suicidal ideation. The legislation follows lawsuits filed by several French families against TikTok, alleging that harmful social media content contributed to teenage suicides.