A French parliamentary commission has called for sweeping new restrictions on social media use among minors, including a full ban for children under 15 and a nightly “digital curfew” for teens aged 15 to 18.
The recommendations follow a six-month inquiry into the psychological impact of TikTok and other platforms on young users.
The commission, chaired by lawmakers Laure Miller and Arthur Delaporte, concluded that TikTok “knowingly exposes our children to toxic, dangerous and addictive content,” describing the platform as “a production line of distress.”
The inquiry was prompted by lawsuits from families who accused TikTok of contributing to their children’s suicides through exposure to harmful videos.
Among the 43 recommendations are: A complete ban on social media for children under 15; A digital curfew from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. for users aged 15 to 18; and a ban on mobile phones in schools.
The introduction of a legal offense for “digital negligence” by parents who fail to protect their children online
One mother testified that her daughter, who died by suicide at age 14, had been inundated with videos glorifying death.
“At no point was she exposed to content that could have inspired her to live,” she said.
TikTok responded by rejecting the report’s findings, calling them “misleading” and claiming it has over 70 safety features designed to protect teens.
The company cited its 60-minute screen limit for under-18s and nudges for under-16s to log off after 10 p.m. However, lawmakers argued these measures are insufficient and easily circumvented.
The inquiry’s chairman, Arthur Delaporte, has referred allegations of endangerment to the Paris public prosecutor. He is also investigating the recent death of French influencer Jean Pormanove, which was livestreamed on the platform Kick.
France’s push for stricter digital regulation follows similar moves in Australia, where a ban on social media for under-16s will take effect in December.
Other EU countries, including Denmark and Spain, are also considering age-based restrictions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to commission a panel of experts to evaluate the best approach for regulating youth access to social media across Europe, with findings expected by the end of 2025.
As France’s National Assembly debates broader digital reforms, the conversation around youth safety online is intensifying.
The proposed measures signal a growing consensus that tech platforms must be held accountable for the content they serve – and that parents, too, have a role to play in safeguarding their children’s digital lives.