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French Assembly Advances Bill to Keep Young Teens Off Social Media

By  |  January 27, 2026

France’s National Assembly has voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, a move aimed at tackling online bullying and the growing mental health risks linked to excessive screen time.

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    The bill, which passed on Monday by a margin of 116 votes to 23, now heads to the Senate before returning to the lower house for final approval. The proposal would block under-15s not only from major social networks but also from “social networking functionalities” embedded in wider digital platforms, according to Reuters.

    President Emmanuel Macron has thrown his weight behind the initiative, arguing that online platforms play a role in rising youth violence and social distress. He has called for the ban to take effect by September, when the next school year begins. Per to Reuters, Macron has urged France to mirror Australia’s approach, which introduced a world-first ban on social media access for users under 16 in December, covering platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

    Supporters of the French measure say it sends a strong message about the risks facing children online. One centrist lawmaker told the chamber that the bill was about setting limits for the sake of young people’s wellbeing, warning that constant digital exposure was harming sleep, reading habits, and self-esteem. According to Reuters, she framed the effort as a fight to protect children’s independence and mental freedom.

    Related: Global Lawsuit Challenges Meta’s Claims About WhatsApp Privacy

    The proposal has drawn backing from across the political spectrum. A far-right deputy described the situation as a “health emergency,” arguing that while social media has expanded freedom of expression, it has come at a cost for minors. Per to Reuters, he questioned whether society had fully considered the long-term consequences for children.

    If enacted, the law would require technology companies to introduce age-verification systems that comply with European Union regulations. It would also expand France’s existing ban on smartphones in junior and middle schools to include high schools, according to Reuters.

    However, enforcing such restrictions may prove challenging. Australia’s government has already acknowledged difficulties with its own ban, after teenagers reportedly boasted online about bypassing age checks and maintaining access to social networks, per to Reuters.

    Public opinion in France appears to favor stricter controls. A 2024 Harris Interactive poll found that nearly three-quarters of respondents supported banning social media for under-15s, according to Reuters. On the streets of Paris, reactions among teenagers were mixed. Some said they recognized the dangers of constant online engagement, while others felt a blanket ban went too far.

    The initiative also aligns with broader European discussions. The European Parliament has urged the European Union to establish minimum age requirements for social media access, though individual member states retain the authority to enforce their own limits. According to Reuters, France is now positioning itself at the forefront of this debate as it considers one of the most sweeping youth social media restrictions in Europe.

    Source: Reuters