France must curb child, teen use of smartphones, social media, says panel

A girl looks at a mobile phone backstage before a show during Kids Fashion Week Paris in Paris, France, February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - France should limit smartphone and social media use for children and teenagers, an expert panel commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday, amid growing global concern about their negative impact on young minds.

Children under 11 should be barred from having a cellphone while the use of smartphones with internet access should be prohibited for anyone under 13 years old, they said in a report.