A report by the French Parliament on the social media platform TikTok has recommended banning social media for children under 15 and introducing a “digital curfew” for teens aged 15 to 18. The move aims to limit the negative impact of social media on young people’s mental and physical health.
According to Laure Miller, the parliamentary commission’s reporter:
“A ban would send a clear message to both children and parents that social media is not harmless before the age of 15.”
The commission, established in March 2025, interviewed families of victims, platform managers, and influencers to study TikTok’s algorithm. This investigation followed legal actions against TikTok in late 2024, after seven families sued the platform for exposing children to content that may encourage self-harm or suicide.
One parent, Geraldine (52), whose daughter Penelope tragically took her own life in February 2024, shared:
“It is very difficult for us as parents to control this. My daughter had posted and viewed videos on TikTok that promoted self-harm.”
While TikTok claims youth safety is a top priority, the commission noted that harmful content continues to circulate, causing attention loss, sleep disorders, and self-esteem issues among young users.
The proposed digital curfew would make social media inaccessible to 15- to 18-year-olds between 10 PM and 8 AM. Moreover, if social media platforms fail to comply with European Digital Services Act (DSA) regulations within three years, France may consider banning access for all users under 18.
Several EU countries, including Spain and Greece, have urged Brussels for stricter online regulations to protect children from addiction, cyberbullying, and hate speech.
