France’s National Assembly has approved legislation that would ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms.
Lawmakers passed the bill by 116 votes to 23, reflecting strong political concern over online bullying, screen addiction, and mental health risks facing minors.
The legislation bars under-15s from social media platforms and from social networking features embedded within other digital services. The bill will now move to the French Senate before returning to the Assembly for a final vote.
President Emmanuel Macron has linked social media use to rising violence among young people. He has urged lawmakers to move quickly. Macron wants the ban enforced before the start of the next academic year in September.
French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15s.
It will now go to the Senate, France's upper house, ahead of becoming lawhttps://t.co/1QIOgNldBG pic.twitter.com/x1wII0xxF9
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 27, 2026France Follows Australia’s Lead
The proposal mirrors steps taken by Australia, which introduced a world-first ban on social media access for children under 16 in December.
Australian platforms affected include Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Several European countries are now studying that model. Centrist lawmaker Laure Miller, who presented the bill, said social media poses serious developmental risks.
Read: UK Considers Social Media Ban for Children, Tougher Online Safety Rules
She warned that children are reading less, sleeping less, and engaging in constant comparison. She described the legislation as a fight to protect young minds. Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez called the issue a “public health emergency.”
C’est fait !
La proposition de loi pour protéger les mineurs des risques des réseaux sociaux est ADOPTÉE.
Grâce aux @DeputesEnsemble, la France deviendra pionnière en Europe en interdisant l’accès aux réseaux sociaux pour les – de 15 ans.
Bravo @GabrielAttal, @Laure_Miller. pic.twitter.com/2XRXu8UXDv
— Anne Genetet (@AGenetet) January 26, 2026A 2024 Harris Interactive survey found that 73% of French citizens support banning social media access for under-15s. While some teenagers in Paris said they recognise the dangers of social media, others argued that a full ban may go too far.
If adopted, the law would require platforms to introduce age-verification systems that comply with European Union regulations. Officials acknowledge enforcement challenges. Australia faced early difficulties after teenagers openly claimed they could still bypass restrictions.
Read: Australia Enforces Social Media Ban for Users Under 16, Major Apps Affected
The legislation also extends France’s existing smartphone ban in junior and middle schools to include high schools, further tightening digital access during school hours.
The European Parliament has urged member states to define minimum ages for social media use, although enforcement remains a national decision. France’s move may accelerate similar debates across Europe.
