French Social Media Age Restrictions Face Teen Defiance Amid Global Trend
This week, the French parliament approved a law banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, joining Australia, which six months ago became the first country to restrict social media use for children under 16. The UK plans to implement similar restrictions next year, with Spain, Denmark, and Greece likely to follow. These measures aim to protect children’s mental health, but recent research from Australia shows over 85% of minors continued using social media after the law took effect, mostly by falsifying their age. Experts warn that youth in other countries will likely find similar ways to bypass restrictions.
Twelve-year-old Lavi Shay Kozlovsky from Modiin opposes such laws, arguing they limit her freedom, entertainment, and access to information. She says, “We learn how to outsmart the system; we are smarter than the laws and restrictions.” Her 16-year-old brother, Kfir Kozlovsky, who actively uses multiple social networks and promotes his own business online, also criticizes the laws as overly controlling and harmful to young entrepreneurs. He fears such regulations empower large corporations at the expense of young creators and consumers.
Clinical psychologist Osnat Grati supports restrictions, noting they foster more social interaction and improve children’s motivation and mood. However, she acknowledges the challenge of enforcement, as children are technologically savvy and social pressure to be online is strong. Grati emphasizes the importance of educating children to self-regulate their screen time and understand the costs and benefits of social media use.
Meanwhile, children are already moving beyond social media to artificial intelligence tools, with a recent Israeli survey showing 96% of teens use chatbots regularly. Digital policy researcher Hadar Lahav highlights that children use AI chats for emotional support and sensitive advice, but the long-term effects remain unknown. Lahav advocates for comprehensive education on safe and responsible online behavior, akin to driver’s education, to accompany any legal restrictions.
The consensus among experts is that outright bans are ineffective without ongoing education and guidance. Parents are encouraged to engage openly with their children about digital life, offering support rather than control. As lawmakers struggle to keep pace, youths continue to innovate ways to maintain their digital presence, signaling a generational challenge in regulating online behavior.
