French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a major policy change that will ban social media use for children under the age of 15 and prohibit mobile phones in schools across France starting from the next academic year.
The move follows troubling data from the French health authority regarding young people’s screen time and online exposure.
In a video statement posted on his official channels, Macron stated: “The brains of our children and adolescents are not for sale. Their emotions are not for sale, and they should not be manipulated, whether by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.”
Macron cited figures from the health authority’s report showing that:
- One in two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day on their phones.
- Approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 have access to the internet via mobile devices.
- 58% of them use their devices primarily for social media.
- Extensive use of social media has numerous harmful effects on young people’s mental and emotional health.
The French president emphasized the need to accelerate the legal process to implement these restrictions. Macron drew inspiration from Australia, which last year prohibited social media access for children under 16, signaling France’s intent to follow a similar path.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect children from online manipulation, addictive behaviors, and the psychological pressures associated with social media. Schools across France will begin enforcing the mobile phone ban at the start of the new school year, aiming to foster a healthier learning environment and reduce distractions.
Experts have largely welcomed the measures as a proactive step to safeguard the mental health of children and teenagers. Critics, however, have raised concerns about enforcement and whether these restrictions might conflict with digital literacy initiatives. Macron has indicated that strict legal frameworks will support the policy, and the government will monitor its impact closely.
The announcement comes amid growing international discussions about the influence of social media on young people, and reflects a global trend of governments seeking to balance digital access with child safety.
