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The question of safeguarding minors in the digital space is gaining renewed urgency across Europe. Following a decisive move by France, the issue is now resonating beyond its borders — including in Monaco, where young people’s use of social media is widespread.
In late January, the French National Assembly approved, at first reading, a bill that would prohibit access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15. The proposal, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, stems from a parliamentary investigation into the psychological effects of TikTok on adolescents. If adopted definitively, the legislation would introduce stricter age verification requirements from 2027 and impose heavy financial penalties on platforms that fail to comply.
Experts warn that current safeguards are largely ineffective. Despite official age limits, many children access social media well before their teenage years, often spending several hours a day online. According to specialists interviewed by TVMonaco, young users are frequently exposed to content unsuited to their emotional development, including material of a sexual or psychologically harmful nature, as well as targeted advertising and in-app spending.
These concerns are highly relevant in Monaco. A 2024 survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of Monegasque secondary school students spend between two and five hours daily on social platforms. In response, the Principality has already taken action by banning smartphones in schools from Year 6 through high school, aiming to curb addiction, cyberbullying, and digital distraction.
France’s report outlines 78 proposed measures, ranging from systematic age checks to tighter oversight of influencers. Several of these initiatives could inspire Monaco’s own regulatory approach, adapted to its scale and reinforced through European cooperation — signalling a shared commitment to protecting the next generation in an increasingly connected world.