Suggested lead: The French parliament is discussing a new law that would limit access to social media platforms for under 15-year-olds. France could thus become the first European country to impose such restrictions after Australia established a precedent in December last year. Other European countries such as Spain, Greece and Portugal could soon follow suit. But not everybody agrees this is the right way to go about things.

Lower thirds:

0:03 Report by / Lisa Louis
0:25  Charles / 13 year old 
0:34  Octave / 13 year old 
0:40  Hyppolite / 14 year old
1:07  Anne Genetet / Parliamentarian government party Ensemble pour la Republique
1:43  Arnaud Saint-Martin / Parliamentarian opposition party LFI 
2:07  Lisa Louis / DW Correspondent
2:31  Octave / 13 year old 
2:38  Hyppolite / 14 year old
2:45  Charles / 13 year old 

Script:

More of this..
…and less of that – is what the French government is aiming for with its new ban. 

0’11 - 014 Hyppolite - PLEASE SPEAK!
ON – Let me send you a great video..

Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok could soon be off limits for 
these youngsters. They are not amused.

0’24 – 0’33
SOT – Charles, 13 year old 
Social media are relaxing and fun. They allow us to be in touch with people. And to get informed.

0’33 – 0’40
SOT – Octave, 13 year old 
Most of us will find a way around it, by using a foreign server or our parents’ ID card. 

0’40 – 0’45
SOT – Hyppolite, 14 year old
We make friends on social media. And we’re old enough to regulate ourselves.

The government has triggered a fast-track procedure to get the new rules passed for the start of the next school year in September. 

This parliamentarian says the draft law will prevent social platforms from making profits at the expense of child health.

1’06 – 1’29
SOT – Anne Genetet, Parliamentarian government party Ensemble pour la Republique
Our children’s brain time is not for sale. These platforms prevent the brain from developing correctly – quite the contrary. Look at the impact of social media – sleep disorders, attention disorders, difficulties with concentration. Our bill gives a clear framework to those educating young children – it’ll be easier for them to ban the use of social media.

Protecting the young from social media has wide-ranging support in both houses of parliament. Still, some parliamentarians say the bill does not address the root problems.

1’42 – 1’56
SOT – Arnaud Saint-Martin, Parliamentarian opposition party LFI 
We should prohibit the most aggressive algorithms through which the platforms are making money. And we should focus on better educating children and parents with regards to social media.

Under the new rules, social media platforms would use third-party technologies to check the user’s age. Other European countries are mulling similar thresholds. 

2’06 – 2’19 
STANDUP: These governments know that it will be possible to circumvent the new rules. But this is also a way of putting down a marker, of saying that social media no longer have free rein...

Atmos - dribbling

These youngsters admit that spending their spare time offline might indeed have some perks..

2’31 – 2’38
SOT – Octave, 13 year old 
I guess we will have to do more sports, play ping pong in the parks, football or volleyball.

2’38 – 2’45
SOT – Hyppolite, 14 year old 
When I come home, I normally watch a little video. Now, I will have to read a book.

2’45 – 2’52
SOT – Charles, 13 year old 
Initially, it’s going to be hard – especially for those who are a bit addicted to social media. But we will survive.
They’re aware that too much time online isn’t good for them. And yet, they can hardly imagine a future without social media…
End of track: 3’03
Last pic: 3’05