France parliamentary report suggests social media restrictions for children, ‘digital curfews’

France parliamentary report suggests social media restrictions for children, ‘digital curfews’
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A French parliamentary report has proposed new, strict restrictions on social media use for minors in an effort to combat addiction, sleep deprivation, and exposure to harmful content.

According to Jurist, the report, released on September 11, 2025, recommends a complete ban on social media for children under the age of 15. For teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18, it suggests a “digital curfew” that would block access from 10 PM to 8 AM. This push for stricter regulation was prompted by a fatal school stabbing, which led President Emmanuel Macron to call for a ban on social media for children under 15.

The inquiry included testimony from experts, child psychologists, and representatives from social media companies. The report concluded that TikTok’s algorithm, in particular, promotes addictive behavior and exposes minors to “an ocean of harmful content.” The committee chair has since requested an investigation into whether TikTok is “endangering the lives of users.” The report also includes 43 recommendations, such as tighter parental controls, new transparency requirements for algorithms, and potential legal liability for platforms that put minors at risk. TikTok has rejected the report’s findings, claiming it is being made a scapegoat and that its AI-driven moderation systems are effective.