French Teens React to Proposed Under-15 Social Media Ban

French teenagers expressed mixed reactions on Tuesday to a bill passed by the country’s National Assembly that would ban social media access for users under 15, making France the first European nation to propose such a restriction.

The legislation, which still requires Senate approval, has sparked debate among its intended subjects. While some teens acknowledged the risks of excessive social media use, others dismissed the measure as impractical and vowed to bypass it.

High school student Esther from Paris called the idea “super” in theory but raised concerns about a sudden influx of users at age 15, a critical academic year. “They should ban it for under-14s instead,” she suggested, distinguishing between mindless scrolling apps and platforms important for social connection.

Younger students also shared nuanced views. Eleven-year-old Aya noted that while some content is inappropriate, messaging apps like WhatsApp excluded from the ban are essential for communication. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old in Marseille shared that she had already deleted TikTok due to its impact on her focus and homework.

Parental opinion appears cautiously supportive yet skeptical about enforcement. An August 2025 poll indicated 79% of parents and 67% of young people in France back a ban. However, parents like Emmanuelle Poudreas, whose son died by suicide after cyberbullying, argue that banning alone is insufficient without broader digital citizenship education.

Critics, including the National Parents’ federation PEEP, warn that determined teens will use VPNs or borrowed identification to circumvent restrictions. One Paris middle-schooler, Ylies, confirmed this stance, stating he would use his brother’s ID if required.

The bill reflects growing governmental efforts to address the documented psychological impacts of social media on youth, including issues of self-esteem and online harassment.