French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to fast-track a ban on social media for children under 15, aiming for implementation by the next school year in September, CNN reported.
He emphasized that children’s minds should not be manipulated by digital platforms.
Macron’s proposal includes banning mobile phones in high schools. This initiative follows a global trend, notably Australia’s recent law prohibiting social media accounts for under-16s.
Lawmaker Laure Miller highlighted the need for age verification on social platforms, which currently lack proper checks.
Despite some skepticism about circumvention of these restrictions, Miller asserts the importance of taking steps to protect minors online.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously echoed similar sentiments, advocating for children to engage in offline activities, while critics like Elon Musk have voiced opposition to such bans.
The push for these regulations is partly influenced by the work of psychologist Jonathan Haidt, whose book discusses the adverse effects of social media on youth mental health.
