Paris: France has proposed a ban on social media use for children under the age of 15 in an effort to protect minors from excessive screen time and online risks, AFP reported.

The initiative has received backing from President Emmanuel Macron, who said in early December that parliament would begin debating the proposal in the new year. The move follows similar steps taken abroad, including Australia’s recent decision to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms.

According to the draft proposal, several studies and reports have highlighted the risks adolescents face due to excessive use of digital screens. The French government said uncontrolled online access exposes children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and disruptions to sleep patterns.

The draft law consists of two articles. The first seeks to prohibit online platforms from providing social media services to minors under 15. The second proposes a ban on mobile phone use in secondary schools.

President Macron said digital safety for minors is a priority for his government, though he acknowledged that implementation and compliance with international law remain subjects of debate.

France has already banned mobile phone use in primary and lower secondary schools since 2018, though the rule has not been strictly enforced. In 2023, France also called for a “digital legal age” of 15 at the European Union level, a proposal that has yet to be adopted by the bloc.

Earlier this month, France’s upper house, the Senate, passed a measure requiring parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to register on social media platforms. The proposal has been sent to the National Assembly, which must approve it before it can become law.