PARIS – In a decisive move, French President Emmanuel Macron is advocating for an expedited legal process to enforce a ban on social media usage for children under 15, aiming to have it in place by the upcoming school year in September.

In a video broadcast by BFM-TV on Saturday evening, Macron stressed the urgency of the situation, urging his government to fast-track the legislative process to ensure the bill passes through the Senate swiftly. This legislation reflects Macron’s commitment to safeguarding the mental health of young people in the digital age.

“Our children’s and teenagers’ minds are not commodities,” declared Macron. “Their emotions should not be exploited or manipulated, whether by American social media giants or Chinese algorithms.”

This initiative from France follows closely on the heels of a similar announcement by the British government, which is contemplating a ban on social media for young teenagers as part of broader efforts to shield children from harmful online content and excessive screen use.

Recent findings from France’s health watchdog paint a concerning picture, revealing that half of teenagers dedicate two to five hours daily to smartphone use. A report from December highlighted that a staggering 90% of children aged 12 to 17 access the internet via smartphones, with 58% engaging in social media activities.

The report highlighted a range of harmful effects stemming from the use of social networks, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content associated with risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use and suicide. Several families in France have sued TikTok over teen suicides they say are linked to harmful content.

Macron’s office told The Associated Press that the video was addressed to lawmaker Laure Miller, who is sponsoring the bill that will be examined in a public session on Monday.

“We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools,” Macron said. “I believe this is a clear rule. Clear for our teenagers, clear for families, clear for teachers, and we are moving forward.”

In Australia, social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children since the country banned use of the platforms by those under 16, officials said. The law provoked fraught debates in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.