Banning social media for under-15s: a real solution?

While Emmanuel Macron has announced his intention to ban access to social media for those under 15, young people are divided. Mental health, addiction, circumventing the rules: a decision that raises fundamental questions, far beyond the simple ban.

Outside a vocational high school in Bordeaux, Emmanuel Macron's announcement has not left students indifferent. For some teenagers, this measure is a step in the right direction: "We use social media too much, it's becoming harmful. We're going crazy," confided one high school student. Many recognize the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to anxiety-inducing content, particularly on TikTok, where the algorithm fuels fragile emotional states. However, the ban is divisive: "I had my first account at 11, when it was forbidden. We always bend the rules," said another. Today, while most platforms set the minimum age at 13, 63% of teenagers between the ages of 11 and 13 are already active on social media. This trend calls into question the real effectiveness of a new age threshold.