France has become the first country in the European Union to pass a law banning children under 15 from using social media. The French parliament approved this measure, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, who aims to implement the ban before the upcoming school year.
The decision to enforce this blanket ban reflects global concerns about the negative impact of digital content on young individuals. Macron’s administration sees this move as a significant initiative for his second term. Additionally, the legislation prohibits children from using mobile phones in high schools.
Advocates for children and parents have welcomed the decision, emphasizing the need to protect children from the influence of tech giants. Gaëlle Berbonde, a resident of Paris, expressed support for the bill, equating the protection of children from social media to safeguarding them from harmful substances like alcohol.
Macron praised the parliament’s approval of the law, highlighting France’s leadership in safeguarding children and teenagers within Europe. The next step involves the Constitutional Council’s review before taking action to enforce the measure and ensure online protection for children. The UK is also set to implement a similar ban for under-16s on social media platforms by the following year.
This groundbreaking legislation, announced in June, aims to establish a new norm for future generations and enhance the government’s efforts to provide all children with a positive start in life. The ban targets popular social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, while excluding messaging apps like WhatsApp from the restrictions.
