French President Emmanuel Macron is following Australia’s lead, calling for a social media ban for children under 15 and urging high school students to switch off their phones.
Mr Macron outlined his legislative aspirations and concerns to high school students in Villers-Cotterets on Thursday.
“We left you in this jungle and it robbed you of your attention,”
he said.
“That’s why what we want to do is say that, before 15 years old, no more social media. And we’d like, one day a month, to have an offline day … to show it’s possible.”
High school students had mixed feelings about the proposed ban.
“I think it’s rather up to parents to check up on their children,” said 12-year-old Erdem Duran.
Fabien Andronic, aged 15, also disagreed with a ban. “I like social networks; we learn a lot there,” he said.
But Manel Zerouali, also aged 15, agreed with a ban for those under 15, so they could be protected.
“On social network, there is cyberbullying,” she stressed.
One thing all agreed on was that most youngsters would find a way around the ban.
Australia has seen a spike in downloads of virtual private networks (VPNs) since it introduced its social media ban, as users seek to bypass the measure to access restricted platforms.
Paving the way
After Australia launched its social media ban for children last year, a growing number of European nations are weighing up their own restrictions.
The policy deliberations arise as concerns mount over the impact of social media on the health and safety of minors.
The students were told the screen-free day could be used to “read aloud, do theatre or other activities”.
“We need to slow down and help you become adults and, above all, citizens.”
At least a dozen European countries, including Britain and Norway, have enacted or are considering legislation setting minimum age limits, while Cyprus was the latest to announce plans to establish a ban for under-15s.
Work in progress
In France, a draft bill is going through parliament with the aim of establishing a ban for those under 15.
But while the lower house has voted for a blanket ban, senators want to block access only for platforms that are considered harmful for children.
This means Mr Macron’s aim to have the new legislation in place for the start of the new academic year in September may not be met.
French President Emmanuel Macron says social media robs children of their attention. (Reuters: Ludovic Marin)
Strength in numbers
On Thursday, Mr Macron will host a video call with other EU leaders, focused on creating a “digital majority” in Europe, limiting access for children below a defined age and requiring age verification, officials said.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer told social media companies to listen to parents. (Reuters: Toby Melville)
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told social media companies on Thursday to take responsibility for children’s safety.
The prime minister said platforms needed to meet parents’ demands rather than make “tweaks around the edges”.
Britain will begin consulting next month on whether to restrict children’s access to social media, including a possible ban.
