Emmanuel Macron leads France in becoming the first European Union nation to approve a blanket social media ban for children under 15.
Emmanuel Macron has overseen the passage of a landmark bill banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. France is the first country in the European Union to adopt such a blanket measure, aiming to mitigate the harmful effects of digital content on developing brains. The legislation, a flagship initiative of the administration, also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools. The move comes as parents and advocates express growing concern over issues such as reduced self-esteem, drug use, and teen suicides linked to platforms like TikTok. While the ban excludes educational tools like online encyclopedias, it faces potential delays pending a constitutional review. The administration seeks to implement the law by the start of the new school year in September. This move aligns with a global trend of digital restrictions, following similar initiatives in Australia and plans from Spain, Denmark, and Greece to limit screen time for younger generations.