France has become the first country in the European Union to approve a nationwide ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, marking a significant step in efforts to protect young people from the harmful effects of online content.
The legislation, approved by both chambers of the French Parliament, forms part of President Emmanuel Macron’s flagship agenda during his second term. Mr Macron has said he wants the restrictions to take effect before the start of the new school year.
In addition to restricting social media access for under-15s, the bill also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools, reflecting the government's broader push to curb excessive screen time and improve students' wellbeing.
The move has been welcomed by many parents and child welfare advocates, who argue that stronger regulation is needed to shield children from the risks associated with digital platforms.
"We’ve been campaigning for this bill from the start because, frankly, we have no other option, no other way to counter tech giants," said Gaëlle Berbonde, a 52-year-old who lives in the Paris region. "The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect our children from drinking alcohol."
No comments:
Post a Comment