France is poised to enact a landmark ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, with plans for the prohibition to take effect at the start of the 2026 academic year. The move follows Australia's world-first legislation and forms a key part of President Emmanuel Macron's drive to shield young people from the perceived dangers of digital platforms.
Legislative Details and Timeline
A complete draft bill, which will soon be submitted to France's Conseil d'État for a mandatory legal review, outlines two major measures. The first is a ban on social media use for under-15s, targeting major platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The second measure proposes extending the existing ban on mobile phones in primary and middle schools to include high schools, where students aged 15 to 18 study.
The government's stated goal is for the social media ban to come into force from September 2026. The draft text, as reported by Le Monde, cites significant concerns over "excessive screen use by teenagers," highlighting risks such as exposure to harmful content, online bullying, and disrupted sleep patterns. It argues for the need to "protect future generations" from threats to their development and social cohesion.
Macron's Push and International Context
President Macron has been a vocal proponent of the ban in recent weeks. At a public debate in Marseille earlier this month, he pointed to a growing "consensus" on the issue since Australia implemented its ban for under-16s in December. He starkly linked increased screen time to declining school achievement and worsening mental health.
Macron employed a vivid analogy, comparing a teenager on social media to someone behind the wheel of a Formula One car without knowing how to drive. "I don't want them to win the race, I just want them to get out of the car," he stated, emphasising the need for prior education and safeguards.
France is not alone in considering such action. Other nations, including Denmark and Norway, are reportedly exploring similar bans for under-15s following the Australian precedent.
Compliance and Political Landscape
The French minister for digital development, Anne Le Hénanff, has confirmed the ban is a government priority. She assured that the proposed law would be "short and compatible with European law," specifically aligning with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which combats online harms like hate speech and disinformation.
This legislative push occurs as Macron seeks to shape his legacy during a challenging final presidential year with a divided parliament. The social media ban initiative emerges amidst ongoing political tensions, including recent struggles to pass a budget for 2026.
Before becoming law, the draft bill will undergo scrutiny by the Conseil d'État and consultations with education unions regarding the high-school phone ban. It is expected to be debated in the French parliament early in the new year.
