Paris: Amid growing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks, France moved a step closer to banning social media for minors under 15 years of age.
France’s National Assembly approved a bill which proposes banning under-15s from social networks and “social networking functionalities” embedded within broader platforms, reported Reuters.
The overwhelming 116 to 23 votes by lawmakers in favour of the bill reflected rising public angst over the impact of social media on minors.
The bill will now pass to the Senate before a final vote in the lower house.
In Australia’s footsteps
Last December, Australia became the first country to enforce a social media ban on under-16s, from platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
President Emmanuel Macron, who identified social media as one of the factors for violence among young people, has been urging his country to follow in Australia’s footsteps.
Macron wants the ban to be in place before the start of the next academic year in September.
“With this law, we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying social media is not harmless,” centrist lawmaker Laure Miller told the House as she presented the bill.
“Our children are reading less, sleeping less, and comparing themselves to one another more. This is a battle for free minds,” she said.
Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez said the bill responded to a “health emergency”.
“Social media has allowed everyone to express themselves, but at what cost to our children?” Perez said.
Countries including Britain, Denmark, Spain and Greece have also been studying the Australian model.
The European Parliament has called for the European Union to set minimum ages for children to access social media, although it is up to member states to impose age limits.
