French lawmakers have recommended a strict social media ban under-15, citing risks to children’s mental health and safety. A parliamentary committee released its findings after months of hearings with families, experts, and tech executives.
The report proposes a complete ban for children under 15 and a “digital curfew” for teenagers up to 18. Under this curfew, social media would be blocked between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
President Emmanuel Macron’s office has already shown support for the plan. The move follows similar efforts in countries like Australia, which is drafting its own rules for under-16s.
Committee head Arthur Delaporte said he will also file a criminal complaint against TikTok. He accused the platform of endangering users’ lives by promoting harmful content.
The committee was originally formed to study TikTok’s impact on young users. It followed a 2024 lawsuit by families who claimed the app exposed children to content encouraging self-harm and suicide.
Lead author Laure Miller said TikTok’s addictive algorithm had been copied by other platforms. Executives from TikTok argued the app uses AI tools to remove harmful posts. They reported that 98 percent of flagged content was removed last year in France.
However, lawmakers said those safeguards were not enough. They claimed harmful material continued to spread easily, and TikTok’s algorithm often reinforced dangerous content. Delaporte accused the platform of misleading the committee about the risks.
Parents also shared emotional testimony. Geraldine, whose daughter died by suicide last year, said TikTok’s weak moderation made her child’s condition worse. She blamed the app for failing to stop harmful videos from circulating.
The committee’s report suggests the rules could expand further. If platforms fail to follow European laws within three years, the ban might extend to all users under 18.
For now, the proposals will go to debate in France’s parliament, where they are expected to spark heated discussion on online safety and children’s rights.
