French MPs aim to reach agreement on social media ban in time for new school year

French lawmakers are seeking a compromise on a bill that would ban children under 15 from using social media, amid growing concern over the effects of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube on young people’s mental health. AFP - NICOLAS TUCAT

French lawmakers are mobilising to reach a compromise on legislation that would ban children under 15 from using social media, aiming to have the restrictions in place for the start of the new school year in September.

With parliament’s summer recess approaching, seven members of the National Assembly and seven senators reached a compromise on Monday in a joint committee tasked with reconciling competing versions of the bill.