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French lawmakers approve social media ban for children under 15
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- France has become the first EU country to ban children under 15 from using social media platforms and also prohibits mobile phone use in high schools, aiming to protect youth from harmful digital content.
- The legislation, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, is set to take effect at the start of the new school year in September but may face delays due to constitutional reviews.
- The ban excludes educational and scientific online resources and raises enforcement challenges related to age verification and managing existing accounts.
- This move follows growing global concerns about social media's impact on young people’s mental health, with similar restrictions emerging in countries like Australia, Spain, Denmark, Greece, and the UK.
- The European Commission is considering broader regulations on children's social media use, including proposals to restrict access for those under 13 until platforms demonstrate safety measures.
