French MPs vote to curb children’s screen time with under-15 social media ban

President Emmanuel Macron has championed the under-15 social media ban as a way to protect children from excessive screen time. AFP - DAVID GRAY

France is moving closer to imposing strict limits on children’s access to social media, as the government pushes ahead with legislation aimed at curbing screen time and protecting young people’s mental health.

French lawmakers have taken a decisive step towards reshaping children’s digital lives, approving a bill that would ban under-15s from using social media and restrict mobile phone use in high schools.