Britain and France are weighing proposals to limit or even ban social media use for children and teenagers sparking a heated debate over online safety and youth mental health. The discussions influenced by Australia’s recent decision to ban social media accounts for under‑16s have prompted British officials to consider similar restrictions with more than 100,000 UK residents urging MPs to support age limits and Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaling he is open to such measures as part of broader online safety reforms. Meanwhile in France lawmakers are drafting bills that could outlaw access to major platforms for under‑15s with President Emmanuel Macron’s government and the public health watchdog ANSES warning that excessive social media use is linked to deteriorating mental health among adolescents. Supporters say action is needed urgently to protect young people from cyberbullying addictive platforms and harmful content but critics including some academics argue the evidence is mixed and that blanket bans could push children to less regulated corners of the internet. Research shows both heavy use and total absence of social media can be linked to wellbeing issues highlighting the complexity of the issue as European nations grapple with how to balance digital freedoms with safeguarding youth online.
