France’s health watchdog warns social media harms adolescent mental health

France’s national health watchdog, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), has warned that social media poses significant risks to the mental health of adolescents. The assessment was published on 13 January 2026, as France considers new legislation that would restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15.

The ANSES opinion is the result of a five-year scientific review conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of experts. According to the agency, social media use is not the sole cause of declining mental health among teenagers, but its negative effects are numerous and well-documented. The review draws on around 1,000 scientific studies examining links between social media, behaviour, and psychological well-being.

What the watchdog found

ANSES identified several mechanisms through which social media can have a negative impact on young people. It warned that platforms can create unprecedented echo chambers that reinforce stereotypes, amplify risky behaviours, and facilitate cyberbullying. The agency also highlighted the role of recommendation algorithms, persuasive design techniques, and default settings in shaping how content is consumed.

A particular concern raised by the watchdog is the portrayal of unrealistic body images through edited or altered photos. According to ANSES, this can undermine self-esteem, especially among girls, and increase the risk of depression or eating disorders. The agency noted that girls tend to use social media more intensively than boys and are more exposed to social pressures linked to gender stereotypes.

The opinion also found that certain groups are more vulnerable to harm, including girls, LGBT people, and adolescents with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Recommendations from ANSES

Rather than focusing solely on individual behaviour, ANSES recommended acting at the source. This would mean ensuring that children can only access social networks that are designed and configured to protect their health. In practical terms, the agency said platforms would need to change how their algorithms work, limit persuasive features, and adjust default settings to reduce harmful effects.

According to Olivia Roth-Delgado, who chaired the expert panel, the review provides a scientific foundation for policy discussions that have intensified in recent years. She stressed that the conclusions are based on a broad and established body of research.

Why this matters

The ANSES findings come as governments worldwide reassess how social media affects children and teenagers. Australia recently introduced a ban on major platforms for users under 16, and several European countries are examining similar measures. In France, two bills are currently under debate, including one supported by President Emmanuel Macron, that would ban social media access for under-15s.

By grounding the debate in scientific evidence, the watchdog’s opinion shifts attention from moral or political arguments toward structural features of social media platforms themselves. It suggests that protecting young people’s mental health may require changes in how platforms are designed and regulated, rather than relying only on parental control or individual responsibility.