French lawmakers have adopted a bill that prohibits children under 15 from using social media, making France the first country in the European Union to enact such a broad ban. The legislation, a key initiative of President Emmanuel Macron's second term, also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools.
The vote in both chambers of Parliament signifies a significant move to address growing global concerns about the detrimental effects of digital content on young people. The bill's approval follows legal actions by several French families who have sued TikTok, alleging that harmful content contributed to teen suicides.
Supporters of the bill, including children's advocates and parents, have welcomed the decision. Gaëlle Berbonde, a mother who advocated for the legislation, stated that such measures are necessary to counter the influence of technology giants and protect children, drawing a parallel to regulations on substances like alcohol.
Impact and Implementation Concerns
One parent shared a personal account of her daughter's struggles with self-harm, anorexia, and depression after receiving a smartphone in seventh grade. Despite using parental controls, the family was unaware of the extent of the exposure until the daughter required extensive hospitalization. The daughter is now 16 and recovering.
President Macron aims for the law to be implemented at the beginning of the upcoming school year in September. However, the bill faces a potential constitutional review, which could delay its enforcement. The ban will not apply to online encyclopedias or educational and scientific resources.
Some lawmakers from the left-wing party France Unbowed raised objections, questioning the bill's constitutionality, its potential impact on online anonymity, and the feasibility of its enforcement. Legal experts have also noted that the implementation will not be immediate. Ines Legendre, a legal advisor for the online protection group e-Enfance, pointed out the challenges in identifying and suspending existing accounts for minors under 15 and establishing a reliable age verification process for new accounts.
Usage Statistics and Health Concerns
According to France's health watchdog, approximately half of teenagers spend between two and five hours daily on smartphones. A report released in December indicated that about 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones daily for internet access, with 58% using them for social networks. The report also highlighted negative effects associated with social media use, including diminished self-esteem and increased exposure to content related to self-harm, drug use, and suicide.
The legislation underwent final negotiations after the European Commission identified overlap with the EU's Digital Services Act, which establishes rules for online user safety. An amended version of the bill was then submitted for a final vote in both parliamentary chambers.