UK, France Weigh Social Media Restrictions for Young People

Several countries, including France and the United Kingdom, are weighing the possibility of restricting children and some teenagers from accessing social media, following Australia’s recent decision, even as experts remain divided over how effective such measures would be.

Advocates of a ban argue that urgent steps are needed to address the worsening mental health of young people. Critics, however, maintain that existing evidence is mixed and call for a more balanced, targeted approach rather than outright prohibition.

Australia last month became the first country to bar under-16s from major social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. In France, lawmakers are debating similar proposals for children under 15, including legislation backed by President Emmanuel Macron. In the UK, discussions have intensified after American psychologist Jonathan Haidt, a supporter of the Australian policy, was invited to brief government officials.

In his 2024 book The Anxious Generation, Haidt argues that excessive screen time—particularly on social media—is reshaping children’s brains and fuelling a surge in mental health problems. While the book has gained traction among policymakers, it has sparked controversy among academics. Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers has criticised its conclusions, saying they are not firmly supported by scientific evidence.

Researchers continue to disagree on the scale of social media’s impact on youth mental health. Michael Noetel of the University of Queensland said small negative effects, when spread across billions of users, can become significant. He acknowledged that while Haidt’s claims may overstate some conclusions, the overall risks justify policy intervention, describing a ban as “a bet worth making.”

France’s public health authority, ANSES, recently concluded that social media has multiple harmful effects on adolescents—particularly girls—though it is not the sole cause of declining mental wellbeing.

Studies also suggest a complex relationship between screen use and mental health. A large review of global research found that excessive screen time is linked to psychological distress, which in turn drives further screen use. However, other findings caution against blanket bans. Research tracking more than 100,000 young Australians showed that teenagers who used social media moderately fared better than those who used it excessively or not at all. Girls were most affected by heavy use, while complete restriction appeared more harmful for older teenage boys.

French psychiatrist Serge Tisseron described social media as highly toxic but warned that bans could be easily bypassed by tech-savvy youths and might reduce parental responsibility. He called for carefully calibrated regulation rather than extreme measures.

Some experts suggest observing Australia’s policy before wider adoption. Cambridge University researcher Amy Orben said clearer evidence on its effectiveness and potential unintended consequences should emerge within a year. Meanwhile, Australia’s online safety regulator has reported that technology companies have already blocked 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under 16.