France follows Australia: prohibition of social networks for minors under 15 years of age meets an important step

The measure, which must also obtain approval from the Senate (upper house) to come into force comes after Australia banned social media for those under 16 in December, a world first.

French President Emmanuel Macron wants to make the protection of minors on social networks and the regulation of screen time one of the milestones of his second term, which ends in mid-2027.

This will was expressed in a bill from his Renacimiento party, which the National Assembly (lower house) approved after midnight by 130 votes in favor and 21 againstafter more than seven hours of hectic debates. The Senate will examine it, for its part, in the coming weeks.

“The brains of our children are not for sale, neither for American platforms nor for Chinese networks. (…) Their dreams should not be dictated by algorithms,” Macron stressed on the social network X, after celebrating an “important stage.”

“Digital paternalism”

Concern about the impact of social networks on the mental health of adolescents and young people is growing around the world. Countries like Spain or Denmark are also studying their ban.

And an unprecedented trial begins Tuesday in California, where a popular jury must determine whether TikTok, Instagram and YouTube deliberately designed their applications to addict youth.

Social networks such as TikTok or Snapchat, omnipresent in the lives of adolescents, can harm their mental health, warns the French health security agency, Anses.

There are many risks listed, including cyberbullying, constant comparison or exposure to violent content. It also alerts attention capture systems, to the detriment of sleep.

The government wants to go fast: Children under 15 years of age will not be able to create new accounts starting September 1, with the return to classrooms after the summer holidays; and if they already have them, they will be deactivated by January 1, 2027.

Center, right and far-right forces supported the ban, which instead divided the left-wing opposition. Its radical wing, represented in La Francia Insumisa (LFI), denounced “digital paternalism” and a “simplistic” solution.

“You don’t stop drinking by banning alcohol. You stop drinking through prevention and with investment in public health,” said LFI deputy Arnaud Saint-Martin.

“Cell phone addict”

The deputies also approved banning cell phones in high schools attended by young people between 15 and 18 years old.. This rule is already applied in primary schools and lower secondary schools.

Some are already experimenting with this measure, such as the Montsoult vocational high school, about 25 kilometers north of Paris. In his case, his 600 students must leave their cell phones in briefcases during classes.

At the beginning of each class, the teacher passes out a black briefcase where each student places their cell phone. This “pacified the school climate” because “many altercations” were due to its use, teacher Christine Antunes explained to AFP.

“At first it was complicated, because I am addicted to my cell phone,” admitted Lina, 18 years old. “But it helped me concentrate” and “my grades improved,” acknowledged the student, who stated that she spends up to 12 hours a day in front of the screen.