PARIS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - France's National Assembly

debated legislation to ban children under 15 years old from

social media on Monday, amid growing concerns about online

bullying and mental health risks.

The bill proposes banning under-15s from social networks and

"social networking functionalities" embedded within broader

platforms, and reflects rising public angst over the impact of

social media on minors.

It ‌now passes to the Senate before a final vote in the lower

house.

President Emmanuel Macron has pointed to social media as ​one

factor to blame for violence among young people. He is urging

France to follow Australia, whose ‍world-first ban for under-16s

on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat

, TikTok ⁠and YouTube came into ⁠force in

December.

BROAD SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

Macron wants the ban in place in time for the start of the

next academic ‌year in September.

"With this law, we are setting a ​clear boundary in society

and saying social media is not harmless," centrist lawmaker

Laure Miller told the chamber as she presented the bill.

"Our children are reading less, ⁠sleeping less, and comparing

themselves to one another ‍more," she continued. "This ​is a

battle for free minds."

Australia's social media ban is being studied in countries

including Britain, Denmark, Spain and Greece.

The European Parliament has called for the European Union to

set ‍minimum ages for children to access social media, although

it is up to member states to impose age limits.

There is broad political and public support in France for

curbing minors' access to social media, and the bill was

expected to pass in a vote later on Monday evening.

Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez said the bill responded to

a "health emergency".

"Social media has allowed everyone to express themselves,

but ​at what ‍cost to our children?" Perez said.

The French ban would require platforms to block access to

young teenagers through age-verification mechanisms compliant

with European Union law.

Enforcing such bans can be ​difficult. Australia's government

acknowledged the rollout of its ban would be bumpy after

children claiming to be under 16 flooded the country's social

media feeds with messages gloating about their continued ability

to access networks.

The French legislation also extends an existing ban on

smartphones in junior and middle schools to cover high schools.

A Harris Interactive survey in 2024 showed 73% of the public

supported a ban on social media access for under-15s.

Teenagers on the streets ​of Paris were split in their views.

Some said they acknowledged the dangers associated with social

media. Others felt a ban was excessive.

"I don't think it should be forbidden, for anyone," said

14-year-old Bonnie Pretot Jacobi. "Like, 13 or 14, I think it's

old ‍enough. Way old enough."