- France and the UK are weighing a social media ban for children
- Australia has already banned under-16s from major platforms
- Supporters link social media to teen mental health decline
- Experts remain divided over how strong the evidence really is
Countries including France and Britain are considering a social media ban for children, following Australia’s recent decision to block under-16s from popular platforms. While supporters say the move could protect young people’s mental health, critics argue the science is still not settled.
Australia made global headlines last month after becoming the first country to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
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Now, other nations are watching closely.
In France, lawmakers are debating proposals that would restrict social media access for children under 15. One of the bills has the backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who has openly expressed concern about the impact of online platforms on young people.
In the United Kingdom, the debate is also gaining traction. According to The Guardian, American psychologist Jonathan Haidt has been invited to brief UK government officials. Haidt strongly supports age-based bans on social media.
In his 2024 book, “The Anxious Generation,” Haidt argues that excessive screen time, especially on social media is reshaping children’s brains and driving what he calls “an epidemic of mental illness.”
“Too much time on screens is fundamentally changing how children grow up,” Haidt wrote.
However, his claims have sparked sharp debate among researchers.
Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers dismissed the argument in a published review, saying the alarming narrative “is not supported by science.” She warned against rushing into broad bans without stronger evidence.
Other experts strike a middle ground.
Michael Noetel, a researcher at the University of Queensland, said social media does cause harm, even if the effects appear small when measured individually.
“Small effects across billions of users add up,” Noetel said.
He added that critics are demanding an unrealistic level of proof and that the potential benefits make a ban “a bet worth making.”
France’s public health agency ANSES also weighed in last week, concluding that social media has several harmful effects on adolescents, particularly girls, although it is not the only cause of declining youth mental health.
As more countries consider following Australia’s lead, the global debate continues: protect children now, or wait for clearer evidence?
