French lawmakers declare 'battle for free minds' after approving social media ban for children under 15

"With this law, we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying social media is not harmless," French lawmaker Laure Miller told the assembly.

"Our children are reading less, sleeping less and comparing themselves to one another more," she continued. "This is a battle for free minds."

"Banning social media for those under 15: this is what scientists recommend, and this is what the French people are overwhelmingly calling for," Macron said after the vote. "Because our children's brains are not for sale - neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms."

Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu and The Associated Press contributed to this report.