French lawmakers have approved a bill that bans children under 15 from using social media platforms and prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools. The measure, a key initiative of President Emmanuel Macron's second term, makes France the first country in the European Union to enact such a broad restriction, as global concerns mount over the detrimental effects of digital content on young people.

The legislation gained support from parents and children's advocates, some of whom have pursued legal action against platforms like TikTok, citing alleged links between harmful content and teen suicides. One parent, Gaëlle Berbonde, described her experience where her daughter developed self-harm, anorexia, and depression after obtaining a smartphone in seventh grade, requiring extensive hospitalization.

The ban, intended to take effect at the start of the new school year in September, is subject to a constitutional review that could delay its implementation. Educational and scientific online resources will be exempt from the ban.

Opposition lawmakers from the left-wing party France Unbowed raised concerns about the bill's unclear constitutionality, its potential to end online anonymity, and the practical challenges of enforcement. Legal experts note that the law will necessitate addressing how to identify and suspend existing accounts for those under 15 and how to implement age verification for new accounts.

Data from France's health watchdog indicates that a significant portion of teenagers spend several hours daily on smartphones, with a large majority using them to access the internet and social networks. Reports highlight a range of negative impacts, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content promoting risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use, and suicide.

Negotiations between lawmakers led to an amended version of the bill after the European Commission identified overlap with the EU's Digital Services Act, which already sets standards for online safety. The amended legislation was subsequently passed by both parliamentary chambers.

This development represents one of the final major legislative actions under Macron's current presidency before he leaves office next year.