French Lawmakers Propose Social Media Ban for Under-15s

Paris lawmakers have recommended an outright ban on social media usage for children under the age of 15, alongside a proposed “digital curfew” for those aged 15 to 18. The recommendations stem from a report issued by a parliamentary committee on September 11, 2023, following extensive hearings involving families, social media executives, and influencers.

The committee, led by Arthur Delaporte, has been investigating the psychological effects of platforms like TikTok on minors since its establishment in March. This initiative was partly prompted by a lawsuit filed in 2024 against TikTok by seven families who alleged that the platform exposed their children to harmful content, potentially driving them towards self-harm and suicide. Delaporte stated he intends to file a criminal complaint against TikTok, accusing the platform of “endangering the lives” of its users.

Lawmakers highlighted the addictive nature of TikTok’s design and algorithms. Laure Miller, the report’s lead writer, noted that TikTok’s approach has been mimicked by various other social media platforms. The committee’s suggestions follow a growing trend; Australia has recently begun drafting legislation to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16.

In addressing the committee, TikTok executives, who represent the platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, argued that their AI-enhanced moderation system successfully identified 98 percent of content violating their terms of service in France. Despite this assertion, lawmakers deemed these efforts inadequate. They noted that TikTok’s rules are “very easy to circumvent,” and harmful content continues to thrive on the platform.

Delaporte criticized TikTok’s transparency, claiming that information about potential harms associated with the platform was concealed from the committee. He stated that the denial of knowledge regarding these issues amounted to “lying under oath.”

The report also proposed extending the ban on social media usage to all individuals under 18 if platforms fail to comply with European laws within the next three years. The suggested “digital curfew” would restrict access to social media from 10 PM to 8 AM for users aged 15 to 18, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of excessive screen time on adolescents.

The personal testimonies shared during the hearings painted a disturbing picture of the risks associated with social media. One mother, referred to as Geraldine, spoke about the tragic loss of her 18-year-old daughter, who had shared self-harm videos on TikTok. While she emphasized that TikTok did not cause her daughter’s struggles, she criticized the platform for inadequate moderation that exacerbated her daughter’s mental health issues.

As discussions surrounding social media regulation intensify, the French parliament continues to explore potential measures to protect minors from the adverse effects of online platforms. The recommendations from the committee represent a significant step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring a safer digital environment for young users.