In one of the most significant digital policy moves in Europe, France is preparing to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media starting September 1, 2026. The proposal, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to protect young people from online harms ranging from excessive screen time to cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
The draft legislation will be formally submitted for legal review in early January 2026 before being debated in Parliament; a necessary step before it becomes law. But if approved, it would dramatically reshape how millions of French children interact with digital platforms.
France’s government says the ban is about protecting youth well-being in an era of pervasive digital content. Officials have cited several concerns:
- Excessive Screen Time: Growing evidence suggests long hours on social media can disrupt sleep and reduce attention span.
- Mental Health Risks: Social networking platforms have been linked to anxiety, self-esteem issues, and depression among teens.
- Online Harms: Exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and addictive algorithms are among the specific dangers lawmakers want to curb.
President Macron and other supporters say that setting a minimum age will help ensure that children reach a level of maturity before being exposed to the complex social dynamics and pressures of online communities.
The draft bill includes two major changes:
- Social Media Ban for Under-15s
Social media companies would be legally barred from allowing users under 15 to access their platforms. That means popular services like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and others could not open accounts for children below this age if the law is passed.
- Expanded Mobile Phone Restrictions
France already bans mobile phones in primary and middle schools. The new law would extend that restriction into high schools, meaning older teens would also face limits on phone use during school hours.
The audiovisual and digital regulator, known as Arcom, would be responsible for enforcing the social media rules once they take effect.