France Passes Law Banning Social Media for Children Under 15
On July 20, 2026, French lawmakers reached a compromise on a bill banning social media access for minors under 15, with enforcement starting September 1, 2026. The law, backed by President Macron, also restricts smartphone use in high schools. It faces a constitutional review and potential conflict with EU regulations. The European Commission has urged caution and announced its own plans for minor access. France becomes the first EU country to enact such a ban, following Australia’s under-16 social media law.
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Will France's Social Media Ban for Kids Work?
France has passed Europe's first blanket social media ban for minors under 15, with the law taking effect from 1 September 2025. The ban, championed by President Macron, prohibits new accounts for under-15s and requires existing accounts to be restricted by January 2027. The law passed with 279 votes in favor and 81 against in the National Assembly. However, many details remain unresolved, including which platforms are covered and how age verification will work. The ban contrasts with the EU Commission's approach, which advocates features-based restrictions targeting manipulative design elements rather than outright prohibition. Critics, including left-wing MPs, align with the EU's 'gradual access' model, arguing the blanket ban fails to address root causes of online harm.
France Passes Europe's First Social Media Ban for Minors Under 15
France has passed Europe's first social media ban for minors, prohibiting users under 15 from opening new accounts starting September 2026, with existing accounts to be restricted by January 2027. The law, strongly backed by President Emmanuel Macron, passed the National Assembly with 279 votes in favor and 81 against. The blanket ban diverges from the European Commission's recommended approach of features-based restrictions targeting manipulative design elements like endless scrolling. Critics, including left-wing MPs and the EU, argue the ban does not address root causes and puts the onus on platforms rather than outright prohibition. The French digital minister claims the move is inspiring European partners and has elevated online child protection to a Digital G7 priority. Unresolved issues include which platforms are covered, how age verification will work, and whether the tight deadlines are feasible.
France Passes Europe's First Social Media Ban for Under-15s, Raising Implementation Questions
France has passed Europe's first blanket social media ban for minors under 15, with the law taking effect from 1 September 2026 for new accounts and January 2027 for existing accounts. The bill, strongly backed by President Macron, passed the National Assembly with 279 votes in favour and 81 against. However, critics including left-wing MPs and the European Commission argue that a features-based approach targeting addictive design elements would be more effective than an outright ban. Unresolved issues include which platforms are covered, how age verification will work, and whether the tight deadlines can be met. The EU is investigating Meta's Instagram and Facebook for addictive features, favouring gradual access over prohibition. France's digital minister claims the move is inspiring European partners and has elevated child protection to a priority of the Digital G7.
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France Becomes First EU Country to Ban Social Media for Under-15s
France has become the first European Union country to pass a law banning social media for children and adolescents under the age of 15. The French Senate and National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the legislation on July 21, 2026, with the Senate voting 243 to 2 and the National Assembly voting 279 to 81. President Emmanuel Macron, who made the law a priority of his presidency, hailed it as a 'great step forward' for protecting young people. The ban will apply to new accounts from September 1, 2026, with a four-month transition period for existing accounts until January 1, 2027. The law aims to mitigate health-damaging effects of online networks, including cyberbullying, sleep deprivation, and exposure to harmful content. Platforms will be responsible for implementing age verification systems, with no penalties for children or parents. The EU Commission had previously called for improvements to ensure compatibility with EU law. The move follows Australia's similar ban for under-16s in December 2025, though a study found that ban had limited impact due to circumvention by teenagers. Other EU countries, including Germany, are also considering similar restrictions.
French Parliament Approves Social Media Ban for Under-15s
French lawmakers have approved a national social media ban for children under 15, with 279 votes in favor and 81 against. The law prohibits younger teens from creating new social media accounts starting September 1, 2025, and will apply to existing accounts from January 1, 2027. It also bans mobile phones in most high schools, extending existing restrictions in middle and primary schools. The French privacy regulator will oversee companies' age verification systems. President Emmanuel Macron hailed the law as a significant achievement, though the European Commission had requested revisions to ensure EU law compliance. France follows Australia, which enacted the world's first ban for under-16s in December. The law comes as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce EU-wide measures targeting social media use by children in September. Several EU countries, including Denmark, Spain, and Greece, are also considering tighter social media rules.
France adopts bill to ban kids under 15 from using social media
France has adopted a bill that would ban children under 15 from using social media platforms without parental consent. President Emmanuel Macron aims to have the law active by September 2026. However, the bill faces a constitutional review and unresolved challenges regarding age verification mechanisms and handling of existing accounts held by minors. The legislation represents one of the strictest youth social media restrictions globally, but its implementation remains uncertain pending legal and technical hurdles.
France Passes Social Media Ban for Children Under 15
France has become the first European Union country to pass a law banning social media access for children under the age of 15. The French National Assembly voted by a large majority on Tuesday, following approval by the Senate. The legislation, pushed by President Emmanuel Macron, is set to take effect after the summer holidays. The move makes France a pioneer in the EU in regulating minors' access to social platforms, though further details on enforcement and penalties were not immediately provided in the initial report.
France Becomes First EU Country to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15
France has become the first European Union country to pass a law banning social media for children under 15. The French National Assembly voted 279 to 81 in favor of the measure, following Senate approval earlier in the day. The law, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, takes effect September 1, 2026, for new accounts, with a transition period until January 1, 2027, for existing accounts to be closed. The ban also expands restrictions on mobile phones in schools to include upper school levels. The legislation aims to protect minors from harmful health effects of social media, including cyberbullying, sleep deprivation, and addictive algorithms. Platforms must implement age verification systems, with the EU Commission developing an app for age storage. No penalties apply to children or parents. The EU Commission had previously called for improvements to ensure compatibility with EU law. An EU expert panel has also recommended a social media ban for children under 13 across the bloc.
France Bans Social Media for Under-15s: Law Adopted by Parliament
On July 21, 2026, the French Senate and National Assembly adopted a landmark bill banning social media for children under 15. The law, a flagship reform of President Macron's second term, will be implemented in two stages: from September 1, 2026, for new accounts, and from January 1, 2027, for existing accounts. Minister Delegate for Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff stated that age verification tools, such as France Identité and Docaposte, are already operational and will be used by platforms. She emphasized that data protection is ensured, with no storage or transfer of personal information; the system will only return a binary yes/no response. Platforms must offer at least two verification solutions. The bill passed with overwhelming majorities: 243-2 in the Senate and 279-81 in the National Assembly. Macron hailed the move as a major step forward for child protection in Europe.
France Adopts Ban on Social Media for Under-15s in Senate and National Assembly
On July 21, 2026, the French Senate (243-2) and National Assembly (279-81) adopted a bill banning social media for under-15s. The ban will be implemented in two stages: from September 1, 2026 for new accounts, and from January 1, 2027 for existing accounts. Minister Delegate for Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff stated that age verification systems, such as France Identité and Docaposte, will be used, with social networks responsible for implementing the technical solutions. President Emmanuel Macron hailed the move as leading Europe in child protection, noting it was a priority for the end of his presidency. The minister reassured that data protection measures ensure no personal information is shared between verification systems and social networks, with only a binary yes/no response provided.
France Advances Bill to Ban Social Media for Under-15s and Smartphones in High Schools
On July 20, 2026, France approved a bill that would ban social media for children under 15 and prohibit smartphone use in high schools. The bill, passed by a parliamentary reconciliation committee, is set for Senate discussion and expected enforcement by September 2026. France's Information Technology minister Clara Chappaz will compile a list of platforms banned for minors. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have voiced strong support for limiting minors' screen time and social media access. The move follows Australia's pioneering under-16 social media ban enacted in December, though age verification challenges persist across Europe amid debates over digital privacy.
French President Macron backs effort to ban kids under 15 from social media before departing office next year
French President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed a legislative effort to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, with lawmakers aiming to pass the measure before the start of the upcoming school year. The proposal comes amid growing concerns over social media safety and its impact on minors. However, the bill faces a significant roadblock from the European Commission in Brussels, which has indicated that the proposed law violates EU regulations. The ban would be one of the strictest in Europe if enacted, but its fate remains uncertain due to the conflict with EU law. Macron's support adds political weight to the initiative as he prepares to leave office next year.
French lawmakers agree on social media ban for under-15s ahead of final vote
French lawmakers from both houses of Parliament reached a compromise in a joint committee on July 20, 2026, on a bill banning social media access for minors under 15. The text, a flagship reform of President Emmanuel Macron's term, prohibits under-15s from creating new accounts starting September 1, 2026, and requires closure of existing accounts by January 1, 2027. Exceptions include online encyclopedias and educational digital projects. The final vote is scheduled for Tuesday. The European Commission has urged caution to ensure compliance with EU law, and has announced its own plans for progressive minor access to social media. The ban also includes mobile phone restrictions in high schools. Left-wing party La France Insoumise plans to vote against the bill, citing constitutional concerns.
French lawmakers agree on social media ban for under-15s ahead of final vote
French lawmakers from both houses of parliament reached a compromise in a joint committee on July 20, 2026, on a bill banning social media access for minors under 15. The text, a flagship reform of President Emmanuel Macron's term, will face a final vote on Tuesday. If adopted, the ban will take effect in two stages: new account creation will be prohibited from September 1, 2026, and existing accounts for under-15s will be closed by January 1, 2027. Exceptions are made for educational platforms and online encyclopedias. The bill aims to make France a pioneer in the EU on platform restrictions, though the European Commission has signaled it prefers to legislate on the matter itself. The Senate had previously proposed a 'blacklist' system but deferred to the broader Assembly text to avoid non-compliance with EU law. Opposition from La France Insoumise is expected.