France to ban social media for under-16s, Cllr Gilmartin urges Ireland to follow suit

France is set to follow Australia's lead by banning social media for children under 16 starting in 2026, and Leitrim Councillor James Gilmartin says he would like to see Ireland take the same approach.He believes such a move could protect young people from the harmful effects of online platforms, including mental health issues, disrupted sleep, and low self-esteem.Cllr Gilmartin sees the ban as a proactive step, similar to raising the legal age for smoking, making it harder for younger people to access damaging content.Speaking to Ocean Fm news Cllr James Gilamrtin says It's about protecting our youth from the pressures of social media at a formative age.