Recent report suggests banning children from using smartphones before they are 13

French experts said in a new report that children should not be allowed to use smartphones before 13 and should be barred from accessing social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat before 18.

The report comes following the French President’s request from scientists to suggest screen use guidelines for children with a view to France taking unprecedented steps on limiting their exposure.

It was unclear how the government might now proceed after the report’s publication. Macron said in January: “There might be bans, there might be restrictions”, the Guardian reported.

The report made equally stringent recommendations for the very young, saying phones and screens should be limited as much as possible on maternity wards to help parents bond with their babies.