After Australia, France becomes next to restrict social media access for under-15s

After Australia now France has taken a decisive step towards tightening controls on children’s digital activity after lawmakers in the National Assembly approved a bill that would bar children under 15 from using social media platforms. The move is aimed at tackling excessive screen time and protecting young people’s mental health.

If the legislation becomes law, France would become only the second country worldwide to impose a nationwide social media ban for minors, following Australia, which recently introduced similar restrictions for users under 16.

The bill was passed after an extended overnight debate in the lower house of parliament and represents a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to regulate children’s digital lives. It has received strong backing from President Emmanuel Macron, who has framed the issue as a matter of public health and national interest.

Under the proposed law, children below the age of 15 would be prohibited from accessing social media platforms, while “social networking features” embedded within other digital services would also face restrictions. The legislation now moves to the Senate for review before returning to the National Assembly for a final vote.

Welcoming the Assembly’s decision, Macron described the measure as a “major step” in protecting children and teenagers from the harmful effects of prolonged online exposure. In a message posted on X, he said young people must be shielded from digital practices that exploit their emotions. In an earlier video address, he added that children’s emotional wellbeing should not be influenced or manipulated by foreign technology platforms and algorithms.

The bill also includes provisions to extend France’s existing limits on mobile phone use in schools by introducing a ban in high schools.

If approved, the new rules would come into force at the start of the 2026 school year for newly created accounts. Existing social media accounts held by under-15s would be gradually deactivated over a transition period lasting several months.