French MP Arthur Delaporte from the Socialist Party has accused TikTok of knowingly endangering the mental health and lives of young users. He proposed introducing a “digital curfew” to restrict teenagers from using the app between 10 PM and 8 AM, aiming to protect their well-being.
A parliamentary committee chaired by Delaporte conducted a months-long investigation into TikTok’s impact on young people. The investigation found that TikTok’s algorithms push children and adolescents toward dangerous content, including topics related to depression and suicide. The report also highlighted issues such as attention disorders, disrupted sleep cycles, and lowered self-esteem among teenagers.
TikTok denied the accusations, claiming they are “incorrect” and unfairly blaming the platform for broader social problems. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, stated that it uses AI-powered content moderation systems to ensure safer app usage. However, French lawmakers argue that these measures are insufficient, especially since the number of French-language moderators decreased by more than a quarter between September 2023 and December 2024.
Committee rapporteur Laure Miller emphasized the urgent need for additional protections for children and young people on social media. Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed support for banning social media use among children under 15 years old, which could further intensify the debate on regulating the digital space in France.
This initiative raises an important discussion about the impact of digital platforms on young people’s mental health and the need for stronger protections in the digital age.