PARIS (FRANCE 24 with AFP) – September 12, 2025: A French parliamentary report released Thursday has recommended a social media ban for under-15s and a nighttime curfew for teenagers aged 15 to 18 in response to what lawmakers called an “ocean of harmful content” online. The report singled out TikTok, accusing the platform of fueling suicide, self-harm, body image issues, and serving as a vector for foreign influence.
Laure Miller, the MP leading the inquiry, told reporters that banning children under 15 and imposing a 10pm to 8am “digital curfew” for older teens would send a strong message that social media is not harmless. She added that the investigation revealed an addictive design pulling minors into “bubbles” of harmful content, with videos promoting suicide, self-mutilation, and violence.
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TikTok, which has over 1.5 billion users worldwide, has faced mounting scrutiny in Europe and the United States. Western officials have raised alarms about both mental health impacts and the app’s alleged use for political manipulation, including Russian influence operations. A spokesman for TikTok rejected the parliamentary findings, saying the company was being scapegoated for broader social issues.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already expressed support for banning children and adolescents from social media, following similar steps in Australia. Meanwhile, TikTok faces ongoing legal and political battles in the US, where its ownership remains contested.
The committee’s recommendations follow a lawsuit brought by seven French families in 2024, accusing TikTok of exposing children to content linked to suicide. Testimonies from grieving parents, social media executives, and influencers shaped the report. One mother, Geraldine, whose 18-year-old daughter died by suicide last year, said TikTok did not cause her daughter’s death but deepened her struggles through unchecked harmful videos.
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Committee chief Arthur Delaporte announced he would file a criminal complaint against TikTok, accusing the platform of deliberately endangering users and committing perjury in testimony. Lawmakers also criticized TikTok’s moderation system, arguing that its AI filters were easily bypassed by coded language. They warned that unless platforms comply with European laws within three years, the under-15 ban could be extended to all minors under 18.
TikTok has insisted that user safety is its top priority, highlighting AI moderation that blocked 98 percent of harmful content in France last year. However, the platform has also acknowledged plans to cut moderation jobs globally, raising fresh concerns about oversight.
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