France, UK Consider Social Media Ban

France and the United Kingdom are considering following Australia's lead in banning children and some teenagers from using social media platforms such as Meta Platforms — Instagram, Meta Platforms, ByteDance — TikTok Shop, and Google — YouTube. Australia recently became the first nation to prohibit social media use for under-16s. In France, President Emmanuel Macron is championing a bill for a similar ban for under-15s, supported by findings from its public health watchdog, Argentina — National Social Security Administration, which ruled that social media has detrimental effects on adolescents. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed the need to protect children on social media, with government officials consulting experts like American psychologist Jonathan Cran, who argues that excessive screen time causes mental illness in young people. However, the effectiveness of such bans is debated among experts, with some, like Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers, questioning the scientific basis of Haidt's claims. Researchers like Michael Noetel from the University of Queensland support the ban, citing evidence of harm, while Ben Singh from the University of Adelaide suggests a more nuanced approach, finding that both excessive restriction and excessive use can be problematic. French psychiatrist Serge Tisseron also warns about the toxicity of social media but fears bans could be easily circumvented and absolve parents of responsibility. The outcome of Australia's experiment is being closely watched for its effectiveness and any unintended consequences.