France’s National Assembly Approves Social Media Ban for Under-15s Amid Youth Safety Concerns
Tech News,Paris, 27 January2026: France’s National Assembly has passed a landmark bill banning children under 15 from social media platforms, marking a significant step to protect minors from online harms like bullying and mental health issues. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly 116 to 23 in favor, with the legislation now heading to the Senate for review before a final lower house vote.
The ban targets major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Reddit, as well as any “social networking functionalities” in other apps. Platforms must implement EU-compliant age-verification to enforce access blocks for young users. It also expands France’s existing smartphone ban from junior and middle schools to high schools nationwide.
President Emmanuel Macron champions the measure, urging swift implementation by September’s academic year start to curb youth violence linked to social media. Centrist lawmaker Laure Miller emphasized its societal impact: “Our children are reading less, sleeping less, and comparing themselves more—this is a battle for free minds.” Far-right MP Thierry Perez called it a response to a “health emergency,” reflecting broad political consensus.
Global Precedent
France follows Australia’s pioneering under-16 ban, enacted in December 2025, which has inspired nations like Britain, Denmark, Spain, and Greece. A 2024 Harris Interactive poll showed 73% French public support for the under-15 cutoff. While the EU Parliament pushes for bloc-wide minimum ages, enforcement remains challenging, as seen in Australia where minors bypassed restrictions.
