This Monday, National Assembly deputies, the French House of Representatives, began discussing a bill to ban social networks in the country for children under 15 years old. It also proposed banning cell phone use for all students, without exceptions. To date, this measure has not been applied to high school students.
Furthermore, as French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized in a video posted on the BFMTV news channel, he instructed the government to use “expedited procedures” to pass the new law.
It must be said that in December last year, the head of the Fifth Republic held a series of debates with representatives of the regional press, in which he actively promoted this legislative initiative, pointing out the negative impact of social networks on children's psychology, digital addiction, and effects on health in general.
And this time, Macron said that passing the law would send a “clear signal” to both teenagers as well as parents and teachers. He emphasized: “Our children's brains are not for sale, their emotions are not manipulated by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.”
At the same time, the owner of the Elysee Palace does not hide that he is following the example of Australia, where at the end of last year there was a law banning access to social networks for people under 16 years old and where online platforms are required to deactivate existing accounts of children and teenagers.
Macron does not hide that he is following Australia's example
The current Demarche, and it may very well suit the mood of the French, concerned about their children's growing dependence on smartphone screens and other devices, is Emmanuel Macron's latest legislative initiative. This is because, as the capital's newspaper Le Figaro notes, “his political maneuvering is extremely limited, as the end of his reign is approaching.” And indeed, his presidency will expire next spring.
Regarding the law itself, the chances of being passed by parliament are quite high. In any case, all right-wing and centrist parties are ready to support him, including Marine Le Pen's National Rally.
