French Parliament Bans Social Media for Under-15s Amid Child Mental Health Concerns

The French Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to ban social media use for children and teenagers under the age of 15, passing the law with 279 votes in favor and 81 against. This decision aims to address the harmful psychological effects social media platforms have on young users. Dr. Iris Brent, a psychologist and director of the Brent Institute for Psychological and Family Therapy, explained that social media intensifies harmful social comparisons among children, who naturally measure themselves against peers at this developmental stage. She also highlighted the negative impact on parent-child relationships, where parental authority is increasingly judged by how they regulate screen time, creating unhealthy expectations on both sides.

Dr. Brent further pointed to the issue of social exclusion and the tendency for social media to amplify extreme reactions, which can severely affect the mental health of children and adolescents. When asked about the possibility of similar legislation in Israel, she expressed support but noted significant cultural and societal differences, such as the stricter parenting style in France compared to Israel. She emphasized the need for dialogue between lawmakers and local realities, especially since Israel lacks comprehensive data on parenting, child behavior, and school environments that would inform such legislation.

Dr. Brent also noted that responsibility for preventing underage social media use is shifting from parents to the platforms themselves, which must verify users' ages. She acknowledged that legal, social, and economic factors complicate the enactment and enforcement of such laws. Even in France, the law’s practical implementation will require ongoing evaluation, particularly as European Union countries face lobbying pressures from vested interests opposing these regulatory efforts.