Ban on Social Media for Under-15s Passed in France

In a landmark move aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of excessive screen time, French lawmakers have passed a bill prohibiting social media use for those under the age of 15. President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the legislation, calling it a significant step in safeguarding the mental and emotional well-being of French youth.

The vote took place on Monday evening in the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament, following extensive debates.

The bill must now be approved by the Senate, France’s upper house, before it can become law. In a post on X, President Macron described the vote as “an important advance in protecting French children and adolescents from undue digital influence.”

Key provisions of the legislation include restrictions on mobile phone use for high school students and mandatory age verification for new social media accounts. Authorities plan to implement the rules at the start of the 2026 academic year. Existing accounts belonging to underage users will be required to comply, with platforms given until 31 December to take action.

France would become the second country after Australia to enforce such age-based social media restrictions. Last December, Australia passed a law banning social media for users under 16, citing concerns over mental and physical health impacts.

Experts have long warned that excessive screen time can interfere with normal development, increase anxiety and depression, and hinder social skills. President Macron emphasised these points in a video message broadcast on Saturday, stating, “Children’s emotions are not commercial products. It is essential to ensure they are not manipulated or influenced by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.”

To enforce the law effectively, a robust age-verification system will be required, and European authorities are reportedly working on a coordinated framework to standardise such measures across the continent.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who leads Macron’s Renaissance party in the National Assembly, expressed optimism that the Senate will approve the bill by mid-February, allowing the law to take effect from 1 September 2026. Meanwhile, nine child protection organisations have called for greater accountability from social media platforms themselves, rather than outright banning access for minors, stressing the need for safer digital environments.

With social media usage on the rise among young people, France’s decision reflects growing global concern over children’s mental and physical health in the digital age, marking a potentially transformative moment in online regulation.