France Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-15s: Key Details of the Proposed Law

France Considers Age Restrictions for Social Media Platforms

According to Главком: The French National Assembly passed a bill on January 27, 2026, that would prohibit access to social media for anyone under the age of 15. This move is part of a growing global trend to regulate children's online activity. If enacted, the new rules are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026, potentially making France the first European nation to implement such stringent age-based restrictions for social media users.

The draft legislation received strong support, with 130 deputies voting in favor and only 21 against. Its fate now rests with the Senate, and the government hopes for final approval by mid-February. Should the law pass, social media companies would be given until December 31 to deactivate accounts that do not comply with the new age requirements. The ban explicitly targets social networks but excludes online encyclopedias and educational platforms from the restrictions.

Concerns Over Social Media's Impact on Youth

Experts from France's public health agency, ANSES, have confirmed the negative effects of platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram on adolescents. These concerns are not new, but they are now driving legislative action. The primary risks they highlight include:

• Cyberbullying
• Exposure to violent content
• Deterioration of children's mental health

This follows a 2018 French law that banned mobile phone use in middle schools for students aged 11 to 15.

If successful, France would become the second country worldwide, after Australia, to enact such a ban. Australia's law, which took effect on December 10, 2025, prohibits social media use for children under 16, mandates the removal of underage accounts, and imposes fines of up to $49.5 million for violations. Effective age verification will be a critical challenge for enforcing the new French law.

Our children's brains are not for sale. Their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms. We do not want an 'anxious generation,' we want a generation that believes in the values of the republic.

Emmanuel Macron

The push for age restrictions underscores the French government's increasing alarm over the influence of digital platforms on young people. Authorities aim to shield children from the potential harms of cyberbullying and mental health issues linked to social media use. This initiative reflects a broader international shift toward tighter controls on children's access to online content, a path already being forged by nations like Australia.