France is preparing legislation to ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, with the measures expected to take effect from September 2026. The proposal also includes extending existing restrictions on mobile phone use in schools to cover older students, reflecting growing concern among policymakers about the impact of digital platforms on young people’s wellbeing and behaviour.
The draft bill, prepared by the French government and due for legal review in early January, aims to make it unlawful for social media services to provide access to users under 15. Under the reforms, companies such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat would be required to prevent minors in this age group from creating or maintaining accounts. The legislation also proposes broadening the current ban on mobile phones in primary and middle schools to include high schools.
President Emmanuel Macron has personally championed the initiative, framing it as part of a broader effort to protect children from excessive screen time and risks associated with social media exposure. Although he did not specifically outline the plan in his New Year’s Eve address, Macron reiterated his commitment to shielding children and teenagers from potential harms linked to internet use, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content and disrupted sleep patterns.
France’s existing regulatory framework already requires social media platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing users under 15 to register, a law passed in 2023. However, enforcement of this requirement has proven difficult, in part due to technical challenges related to effective age verification across diverse services. The new proposal aims to address these shortcomings by establishing a clear minimum age for social media access, rather than relying solely on parental approval.
Extending restrictions on mobile phones is a related component of the strategy. France has banned mobile phone use in primary and middle schools since 2018, and the proposed legislation would apply similar limits to high schools, where pupils are generally aged between 15 and 18. Government officials have pointed to research linking excessive screen time and mobile phone use with distraction and other developmental concerns, though enforcing such measures has also been challenging in the past.
The initiative reflects a wider European conversation on regulating children’s access to online platforms. In November 2025, the European Parliament urged member states to consider setting minimum ages for social media use in response to rising concerns about adolescent mental health and online exposure, although EU law leaves age limits to national governments. France’s draft law is aligned with these broader discussions while tailoring its approach to domestic priorities.
France’s efforts follow Australia’s world-first national ban on social media access for under-16s, which took effect in December 2025. Australian legislation applies age limits and obligations on platforms to verify age before granting access. French policymakers have cited the Australian example in public discussions, viewing it as a model for how to structure effective age restrictions.
Support for stricter digital age limits appears strong among the French public, according to polling cited in recent reporting. One survey conducted in 2024 found that a substantial majority of respondents favoured banning social media access for under-15s, reflecting widespread parental concern about online harms. Advocates argue that setting a minimum age can help reduce exposure to harmful content, mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, and promote healthier offline social development.
Critics of the proposal have raised questions about how age verification would be implemented in practice. Technologies such as document checks and biometric systems have been discussed as possible tools to ensure compliance, but these approaches also prompt debates about privacy, data protection and practical feasibility. Some observers caution that placing the burden of verification on platforms and families may create uneven outcomes or drive minors toward unregulated alternatives.
Implementation of the ban will depend on approval by the French Parliament, which is expected to debate the draft law in early 2026. The Council of State, a key legal advisory body, will examine the text to assess its compatibility with existing national and European laws before it proceeds through the legislative process.