Even British teenagers want tighter laws around social media – but let’s make it part of a broader vision for children | Gaby Hinsliff

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

We need an honest reckoning with other factors that threaten young people’s wellbeing, from poverty to academic stress

Our children’s feelings are not for sale, and nor are they to be manipulated.

So said Emmanuel Macron this week, after French lawmakers voted to ban under-15s from social media. Admittedly, he then repeated these sentiments in a post on X, in the time-honoured manner of parents solemnly lecturing children to do as we say, not as we do.

Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org