France is preparing to ban children under 15 from using social media platforms and to prohibit mobile phones in high schools from September 2026, according to local media reports. The proposals reflect growing concern over the impact of online harms on minors.
President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly linked social media use to rising violence and mental health issues among young people. He has signalled that France should follow Australia’s example, which introduced a world-first ban on social media for under-16s in December.
According to Le Monde, Macron may formally announce the measures during his New Year’s Eve national address, scheduled for 7:00 pm GMT. Media reports also indicate that draft legislation will be submitted for legal review in early January.
Neither the Élysée Palace nor the prime minister’s office has issued an official response to the reports so far.
French lawmakers to debate social media ban for children under 15
➡️ https://t.co/IKucTd6RBU pic.twitter.com/TDansYsIiy
— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) December 31, 2025Mobile phones have already been banned in French primary and middle schools since 2018. The proposed changes would extend the restriction to high schools, covering students aged 15 and above. In France’s education system, pupils aged 11 to 15 attend middle school before progressing to high school.
Read: Australia Enforces Social Media Ban for Users Under 16, Major Apps Affected
France also passed a law in 2023 requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent for users under 15. However, technical hurdles have limited its effective enforcement.
Macron Pushes for EU-Wide Rules
Macron has called for stronger action at the European Union level. In June, he said he would advocate for a bloc-wide ban on social media access for under-15s following a fatal school stabbing in eastern France that shocked the country.
France aims to ban under-15s from social media from September 2026, Le Monde reports https://t.co/0AsH20dAL3 https://t.co/0AsH20dAL3
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 31, 2025In November, the European Parliament urged member states to set minimum age limits for social media use to address rising mental health concerns among adolescents. Under EU law, individual countries retain authority over age restrictions.
The proposed measures come as Macron enters the new year facing domestic political challenges after the 2024 parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament and prolonged instability.
Despite this, tougher rules on minors’ access to social media appear popular. A 2024 Harris Interactive survey found that 73% of respondents supported banning social media for children under 15, suggesting the initiative could resonate strongly with the public.
