France’s National Assembly has approved a bill that would ban social media access for children under 15 years old, advancing the measure closer to becoming law after a vote on 26–27 January 2026. The legislation must still be considered by the French Senate before it can take effect.
The bill, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, would require digital platforms to prevent children under 15 from accessing social media services within France. During the National Assembly debate, lawmakers cited concerns about alleged harms associated with early and extensive use of social networks, including impacts on mental health and exposure to inappropriate content. The lower house approved the measure by a substantial margin, reflecting broad political support for the initiative.
Under the proposal, platforms identified as social networks would be added to a list maintained by the national media regulator and explicitly banned for under-15 users. Platforms that pose a lower risk could be accessed only with explicit parental consent. The bill also proposes extending France’s existing ban on mobile phone use in some schools to cover senior secondary schools as part of efforts to reduce distraction and limit screen time during class hours.
Macron has urged lawmakers to fast-track the legislation so that it could take effect by the start of the 2026–27 school year in September. He framed the proposal as a measure to protect young people’s emotional well-being, saying that children’s development should not be shaped by algorithms designed to maximise engagement. The president’s office has made public statements emphasising the need for clearer rules for families, teachers, and children about digital devices and social media use.
The legislation follows similar moves in other countries. In Australia, a law enacted in late 2025 bans children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms without age verification. Denmark has also agreed to restrict access to social networks for under-15s. The wave of proposals reflects growing policy interest in regulating children’s online experiences.
Critics of the French bill have questioned how age verification would be implemented and whether enforcement mechanisms would be effective. Some commentators have said that reliable systems will be required to distinguish between under-15s and older users without undermining privacy or access to permitted online services. Lawmakers and stakeholders continue to debate the practical details ahead of the Senate’s review.