Social media platforms are harming the mental health of teenagers… and girls are the most affected.

The French health security agency confirmed on Tuesday that social media is harming the mental health of teenagers, especially girls, as Paris considers banning these widely used platforms for those under fifteen.

The results of a scientific review conducted by experts on this subject were announced after Australia last month became the first country to ban social media platforms, including Instagram , TikTok and YouTube , for children under 16, while other countries are considering taking the same decision.

The French Agency for Health Security (ANSES) explained in its assessment, which came as a result of five years of work by a committee of experts, that the use of social media is not the only reason for the deterioration of adolescents’ mental health , but its negative effects are “numerous” and well documented.

Two draft laws, one of which is supported by President Emmanuel Macron , are currently being debated in France, both of which aim to ban the use of social media by those under 15 years of age.

The French Agency for Health Security recommended “addressing the problem at its source” to ensure that children have access to social networks “designed and prepared to protect their health” only.

The agency explained that this means that platforms must modify their personalization algorithms, persuasion methods, and default settings.

“This study provides scientific arguments for the debate surrounding social networks in recent years, as it is based on a thousand studies,” said the chair of the expert committee, Olivia Ruth Delgado, at a press conference.

The French Agency for Health Security stated that social media could produce an “unprecedented echo bubble” that reinforces stereotypes, encourages risky behaviors, and increases cyberbullying .

She pointed out that the content presents an unrealistic image of beauty through digitally altered images, which may lead to low self-esteem among girls and create fertile ground for depression or eating disorders.

The agency noted that girls who use social media more than boys are subject to greater social pressures related to gender stereotypes.

On Monday, US tech giant Meta called on Australia to reconsider its ban on social media for children under 16, noting that it had disabled more than 544,000 accounts under the new law.

Meta said that parents and experts are concerned that the ban will isolate young people from online communities and push some of them towards less regulated online applications.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s X platform is facing a wave of global criticism for allowing users to use the AI-powered chatbot ” Groc ” to create sexual images of women and children through requests using simple phrases.