France pushes for nighttime social media curfews for teens
The proposed law targets platforms like TikTok, amid growing concerns over mental health risks and algorithm-driven exposure to harmful content.
French lawmakers are calling for stricter regulations on teen social media use, including mandatory nighttime curfews, following a parliamentary report examining TikTok’s psychological impact on minors.
The 324-page report, published Thursday by a National Assembly Inquiry Commission, proposes that social media accounts for 15- to 18-year-olds be automatically disabled between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. to help combat mental health issues.
The report contains 43 recommendations, including greater funding for youth mental health services, awareness campaigns in schools, and a national ban on social media access for those under 15. Platforms with algorithmic recommendation systems, like TikTok, are specifically targeted.
Arthur Delaporte, the lead rapporteur and a socialist MP, also announced plans to refer TikTok to the Paris Public Prosecutor, accusing the platform of knowingly exposing minors to harmful content.
The report follows a December 2024 lawsuit filed by seven families who claim TikTok’s content contributed to their children’s suicides.
TikTok rejected the accusations, calling the report “misleading” and highlighting its safety features for minors.
The report urges France not to wait for EU-level legislation and instead to lead on national regulation. President Emmanuel Macron previously demanded an EU-wide ban on social media for under-15s.
However, the European Commission has said cultural differences make such a bloc-wide approach unfeasible.
Looking ahead, the report supports stronger obligations in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, such as giving users greater control over content feeds and limiting algorithmic manipulation.
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