sports

France and Britain Debate Social Media Ban for Children

Published

9 months ago

January 19, 2026

France and Britain consider a social media ban for children as experts debate mental health impacts and the effectiveness of such measures

France and Britain are considering following Australia’s lead by restricting social media use for children and some teenagers, though experts remain divided on its effectiveness.

Also read: Senegal Claim Dramatic AFCON Win Amid Morocco Controversy

Australia last month became the first country to prohibit people under 16 from using platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

France is debating a similar ban for under-15s, with proposals championed by President Emmanuel Macron.

Supporters of a ban argue it is necessary to address worsening mental health among young people.

American psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, has advised UK officials, claiming excessive social media rewires children’s brains and fuels mental illness.

Critics, however, question the evidence. Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers said Haidt’s claims are “not supported by science,” while studies from Australia and elsewhere suggest only small, cumulative effects on wellbeing.

Michael Noetel of the University of Queensland noted that social media can harm adolescents, particularly girls, but acknowledged the research is nuanced.

“My read is that Haidt is more right than his harshest critics admit, and less right than his book implies,” he said, calling a cautious ban “a bet worth making.”

Research highlights a U-shaped pattern: both heavy users and those entirely deprived of social media experience poorer wellbeing.

Moderate use appears safest, especially for boys and older teens, according to studies published in JAMA Pediatrics.

French public health watchdog ANSES recently warned that social media negatively affects adolescents but is not the sole cause of mental health decline.

Psychiatrist Serge Tisseron called platforms “appallingly toxic” but cautioned that bans could be easily bypassed by tech-savvy teens and reduce parental responsibility.

Experts such as Cambridge University researcher Amy Orben recommend a cautious approach, monitoring Australia’s ban for insights before adopting similar measures in Europe.

Also read: Senegal Claim Dramatic AFCON Win Amid Morocco Controversy

Australian authorities report blocking 4.7 million accounts for under-16s since the policy began.

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Brands

Mbappe Apologises Over Mao Zedong Comment as Chinese Brands End Deals

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Mbappe Mao Zedong comment sparks backlash in China, prompting an apology from the Real Madrid star and the termination of two brand partnerships

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised over an “ill-judged” comment about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong after Chinese drinks manufacturer Dongpeng Beverage and dairy producer Mengniu terminated their partnerships with the French football star.

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Mbappe, who captains France’s national team, issued the apology on his X account on Tuesday, acknowledging that his remarks had upset people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” he said.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video in which the 27-year-old footballer reacted to an internet meme featuring his face superimposed on that of a Chinese leader.

He reportedly described it as the funniest meme he had seen and referred to the figure as “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”, in an apparent reference to Mao.

Dongpeng Beverage announced on Tuesday that it was ending its partnership with Mbappe, citing its opposition to comments considered offensive to Chinese national sentiment.

“Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” the company said.

“With immediate effect, we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” it added.

Mengniu, one of China’s largest dairy producers, also announced that it was ending its partnership with the Real Madrid forward.

“With immediate effect, our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” the company said, adding that it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

The announcements generated widespread discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where Dongpeng’s decision to end its partnership with the footballer became a trending topic.

Mao, who led the Chinese Communist Party and died in 1976, remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure in China.

Comments perceived as disrespectful towards him can provoke strong public reactions.

Mbappe had previously addressed memes comparing him to historical dictators in an interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe in September.

“There’s a part of it that’s funny. You can tell that, for some people, it’s all in good fun. But there is another part that’s a bit less funny because of the damage such people have caused throughout history,” he said.

He added that being compared with individuals responsible for mass killings and widespread suffering was uncomfortable.

“Being compared to individuals who murder others, or who have brought misery to millions upon millions of people — well, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like that in my life,” Mbappe said.

International sports figures have previously faced commercial and public backlash in China over politically sensitive comments concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Hong Kong.

In 2019, a social media post by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressing support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong prompted Chinese authorities and businesses to suspend NBA-related activities.

NBA games were subsequently absent from Chinese state television broadcasts for about a year.

In 2023, former NBA player Dwight Howard also faced criticism on Chinese social media after referring to Taiwan as a country in a video featuring Taiwan’s then vice president, Lai Ching-te.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

Mbappe’s apology comes amid the fallout from the latest controversy and the decisions by Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu to end their commercial relationships with the footballer.