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France debates social media ban for teenagers

03:05

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February 10, 2026

France could become the first European country to impose restrictions on Instagram and TikTok for children under 15. This comes after Australia imposed a landmark ban on social media for minors.

France plans to ban minors from Instagram and TikTok, aiming to curb risks to children's health.

Lawmakers argue social media harms sleep, attention and concentration, and critics say that it fails to tackle profit-driven algorithms. Teens admit they may find workarounds, but also see benefits in spending more time offline.

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