French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed that his government will fast-track legislation to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media, aiming to have the law in effect before the next school year begins in September. “The brains of our children and adolescents are not for sale,” Macron said in a video released on Saturday. “Their emotions are not for sale or to be manipulated, whether by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.”
Macron explained that the law will also prohibit mobile phone use in high schools, calling it a necessary measure to protect the mental and emotional wellbeing of teenagers. The move comes amid growing concerns in several Western countries over the negative impact of social media on young people. In December, Australia introduced legislation banning under-16s from accessing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, while the UK is reportedly considering similar measures.
In France, lawmakers argue that existing age-verification systems are ineffective because children can easily enter false birth dates online. The government plans to enforce strict age verification when accessing social networks, ensuring users prove they are over 15 before using platforms. Authorities acknowledge that some children may attempt to bypass restrictions, but Macron emphasizes that decisive steps must be taken to safeguard young minds.
Experts highlight the importance of encouraging teens to spend more time on offline activities such as sports, reading, music, and creative pursuits. Australia’s experience shows that more than 4.7 million accounts believed to belong to under-16s were deactivated, and officials there have noted a decrease in exposure to harmful online content. Critics, including Elon Musk, have opposed such bans, describing them as potential government overreach, but Macron insists the legislation is a necessary step to protect the next generation.
Social psychologists have long warned of social media’s risks to children. A 2024 book by Jonathan Haidt highlighted the mental health dangers of overexposure, arguing that children are overprotected offline yet underprotected online. Macron’s government appears determined to take a firmer stance, reflecting a growing global push for stronger online safety measures and more responsible digital engagement for young people.
