PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants the government to speed up legal proceedings to ensure a ban on social media use by children under 15 takes effect when the next school year begins in September.
In a video posted by French broadcaster BFM-TV on Saturday night, Macron said he had asked the government to launch an accelerated process so that the proposed legislation could move forward as quickly as possible and pass the Senate in time.
“The brains of our children and teenagers are not for sale,” Macron said. “The emotions of our children and teenagers cannot be sold or manipulated. Neither by American platforms nor by Chinese algorithms.”
Macron’s announcement comes just days after the British government said it would consider banning social media for teenagers as it tightens laws aimed at protecting children from harmful content and too much screen time.
One in two teenagers uses smartphones for two to five hours a day, according to France’s health watchdog. A report released in December said that about 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones to go online every day, with 58% using the devices for social networking.
The report highlights a range of harmful effects of using social networks, including lowered self-esteem and increased exposure to content related to risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use and suicide. Several families in France have sued TikTok, saying teen suicides are linked to harmful content.
Macron’s office told The Associated Press that the video was sent to Rep. Raul Miller, the sponsor of the bill, which will be reviewed at a public meeting on Monday.
“We will ban social media for teenagers under 15, we will also ban the use of mobile phones in high schools,” Macron said. “I believe it is a clear rule. It is clear for our teenagers, it is clear for families, it is clear for teachers, and we are moving forward.”
Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children since Australia banned children under 16 from using social media platforms, officials said. The law has sparked heated debate in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health, and prompted other countries to consider similar measures.
