French children under the age of 15 will no longer be allowed to use social media, making France the first country in the European Union to enforce this regulation. The French parliament, in both chambers, voted in favor of this measure on Tuesday. President Emmanuel Macron aims to implement the ban before the upcoming school year.

This decision to impose a complete ban on social media for children follows global concerns regarding the negative impact of digital content on young individuals. It is a key initiative of Macron’s second term in office. Additionally, students in high schools will also be prohibited from using their mobile phones under the same regulations.

Advocates for children and parents have shown support for this move. Gaëlle Berbonde, a 52-year-old resident of the Paris region, expressed, “We’ve been advocating for this legislation from the outset because, frankly, we have no alternative, no other means to combat tech giants.” She emphasized the importance of protecting children, similar to safeguarding them from consuming alcohol.

Macron praised the parliament for endorsing the legislation, stating that France is at the forefront in Europe in terms of safeguarding its youth. The next step involves the Constitutional Council’s evaluation of the ban before it can be enforced to protect children online. In the UK, individuals under the age of 16 are also set to face a social media ban, expected to be implemented by the following spring.

The government’s groundbreaking decision, announced in June, aims to establish a new standard for future generations, initiating a cultural shift and advancing efforts to provide every child with a strong foundation. The ban will target popular social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and others, excluding messaging apps like WhatsApp.