In a decisive development on Monday, France's lower parliamentary chamber approved a legislative proposal designed to ban social media usage by individuals under the age of 15. This initiative demonstrates a robust policy response to the rising challenges posed by digital platforms to younger demographics, particularly regarding mental health, addictive behaviors, and online harassment. The vote in the National Assembly concluded with a significant majority, tallying 116 in favor and 23 against. The proposal is now slated for examination by the Senate, after which it will return to the Lower House for final ratification.
The bill’s scope encompasses not only conventional social networking sites but also extends to social features embedded within various other digital services, thereby broadening the potential impact of the restrictions. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic effort to address the multitude of ways youths interact with social media across different platforms.
Centrist parliamentarian Laure Miller articulated the legislative intent, emphasizing that "this law sets a clear boundary in society," underscoring that social media cannot be treated as innocuous. She highlighted emerging behavioral concerns among minors, noting diminished reading habits, reduced sleep, and increased self-comparison as consequences of unchecked social media engagement.
President Emmanuel Macron has publicly championed this legislative move, urging France to adopt measures akin to those implemented in Australia. Australia's groundbreaking effort, which came into force in December, prohibits individuals under 16 from accessing social media platforms. Macron aims for a prompt legislative implementation targeting the commencement of the new academic year in September, underscoring the urgency he associates with the issue.
The framework within the French proposal mandates that social media companies implement age verification mechanisms consistent with European Union standards, aiming to robustly enforce the restrictions. Additionally, the legislation proposes strengthening existing rules by expanding France’s current ban on smartphone usage in middle schools to also encompass high school settings.
France's adoption of this preventive strategy occurs amid a wider global context, as other nations—including the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark, Malaysia, and Indonesia—consider or have enacted comparable regulations to curtail social media access among minors. This international trend bears witness to a growing recognition of the societal implications of unregulated digital interactions among youth.