France is considering banning social media for children under 15
In a significant step aimed at protecting younger generations from growing digital risks, the French Agency for Health Security (ANSES) on Tuesday released the results of a comprehensive assessment warning of the serious consequences of social media on the mental health of teenagers. This report supports the government's push in Paris for stricter legislation that could even lead to banning these platforms for children and those under 15.
Scientific results after 5 years of research
The French Agency for Health Security explained that its new report is the culmination of five years of work by a specialized committee of leading experts. The assessment concluded that social media platforms, while not the sole cause, play a pivotal role in the decline of adolescents' mental health. The agency emphasized that the negative effects of these platforms are "numerous" and well-documented within the scientific community, thus necessitating urgent intervention.
The dangers of "echo bubble" and cyberbullying
The report highlighted the mechanisms by which these platforms operate, noting that they create what is known as an "unprecedented echo chamber." These bubbles isolate teenagers within closed circles that reinforce negative stereotypes, encourage risky behaviors, and increase rates of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the agency warned of a significant rise in cyberbullying , which has become a worrying phenomenon threatening children's psychological and physical well-being.
French legislative action and a global trend
These scientific warnings coincide with political activity in France, where two draft laws to regulate the digital space are currently being debated. One of these drafts has the direct support of French President Emmanuel Macron and aims primarily to ban the use of social media by those under 15, in an attempt to impose a "digital age of majority.".
France is not alone in this move; it comes within a broader global context of challenging the dominance of Big Tech companies. Last month, Australia became the first country to enact a comprehensive ban on social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, for children under 16, while other European countries are considering similar measures.
Recommendations for re-engineering platforms
The French agency didn't stop at issuing a warning; it also offered practical recommendations, calling for "addressing the problem at its source." It stressed the need to require tech companies to modify their personalization algorithms targeting teenagers and to change the psychological tactics used to keep them connected for as long as possible. The head of the expert panel, Olivia Roth-Delgado, affirmed that the study presents compelling scientific arguments based on a thousand previous studies, thus placing the onus on lawmakers and tech companies to ensure a safe digital environment for children.
