Macron's Shocking New Law: Will Kids Under 15 Be Banned from Social Media Forever?

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his intent to accelerate the legal process aimed at banning social media use for children under the age of 15, targeting a September implementation coinciding with the start of the next school year. In a statement released via a video by French broadcaster BFM-TV, Macron emphasized the urgency of the legislation, urging lawmakers to expedite its passage through the Senate.

"The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale," he stated. "The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated. Neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms." This declaration comes on the heels of similar discussions in the United Kingdom, where officials are contemplating measures to curb social media access for young teenagers amid growing concerns over child safety online.

According to a report from France's health watchdog, approximately one in two teenagers spends between two to five hours daily on smartphones. The report, published in December, highlighted that around 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones for internet access, with 58% engaging on social media platforms. These alarming statistics underscore a concerning trend, especially as studies reveal a range of detrimental effects associated with excessive social media usage, including diminished self-esteem and heightened exposure to risky behaviors such as self-harm and substance abuse. Tragically, some French families have even sued the social media platform TikTok, claiming a connection between its content and teenage suicides.

Macron's office confirmed that the video was directed at lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the bill scheduled for examination in a public session on Monday. "We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools," Macron articulated. "I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward."

This legislative push echoes actions taken by Australia, which recently implemented the world's first social media ban for teenagers younger than 16. The Australian government has urged major platforms, including Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube, to take proactive measures to restrict access to underage users. This initiative has already resulted in the blocking of approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children under the age of 16.

The Australian law has sparked intense debate surrounding technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health. It has also inspired other nations to explore similar regulations. Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, revealed that officials from regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia are actively discussing the possibility of implementing similar legislation in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Additionally, Malaysia is on track to become the second country to impose a social media ban for children under 16 this year.

As these initiatives gain momentum, they raise significant questions about the balance between protecting young users and the broader implications for social media companies and digital freedom. The debate continues, reflecting a growing global concern for the mental well-being of young individuals in an increasingly digital world.