France Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Under-15s

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:12:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bid to protect young teenagers' mental health, France's National Assembly has initiated a ban on social media platforms for users under the age of 15, supported by President Macron.

The French National Assembly has taken definitive steps toward enacting a law that would prohibit access to social media for children under the age of 15. This initiative, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to safeguard the mental well-being of young individuals, aligning with a global trend of addressing the adverse effects of social media on youth. The proposed legislation lists specific networks, including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, which would be restricted. If approved by the Senate, the law could be enacted by September, reflecting a responsive approach to growing concerns regarding children's health in the digital landscape.

France's National Assembly has taken a first step towards banning social media access for under-15s, a proposal backed by President Emmanuel Macron.

Lawmakers in the lower house agreed on key elements of the bill and are expected to vote on the full text soon. This bill still requires approval from the upper house, the Senate.

If the legislation is passed, young teenagers would be unable to use platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

The French initiative is part of a worldwide trend to limit social media exposure for minors, motivated by increasing evidence of its negative impact on mental health. Australia recently enacted a similar law.

With this law, we will set down a clear limit in society, stated Laure Miller, a lawmaker supporting the bill as quoted by Le Monde. She emphasized, Social networks are not harmless.

President Macron aims to have the ban in effect by the start of the school year in September, asserting that the mental and emotional welfare of children should not be left in the hands of profit-driven social media companies.

The legislation would empower the state media regulator to compile a list of harmful networks to be banned for those under 15, while a separate list of less harmful sites could be accessed only with explicit parental consent.

The bill is expected to receive support from pro-Macron parties, the centre-right Republicans, and the populist National Rally.

Another part of the legislation includes banning mobile phones in senior schools (lycées), a restriction already enforced in junior and middle schools.

Should the law pass, France will need to establish a reliable age-verification system, similar to existing measures for adult access to online pornography.

Other European nations, including Denmark, Greece, Spain, and Ireland, are contemplating similar regulations, while the UK recently launched a consultation regarding a social media ban for users under 16.

This proposed law was developed following a parliamentary inquiry into the psychological effects of social media. The legislation aims to prioritize the well-being of children navigating the complex digital landscape, amid ongoing discussions about its broader societal implications.