French lawmakers approve bill banning social media for children under 15

French lawmakers have approved a landmark bill banning social media for children under 15, setting the stage for implementation at the beginning of the next school year in September. The legislation, which also prohibits mobile phone use in high schools, passed with overwhelming support in a 130-21 vote late Monday.

President Emmanuel Macron, who requested the fast-tracking of this legislation, praised the decision, stating: “Banning social media for those under 15: this is what scientists recommend, and this is what the French people are overwhelmingly calling for. Because our children’s brains are not for sale — neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for discussion in the coming weeks. Despite France’s politically divided National Assembly, the measure garnered broad support across the political spectrum, with opposition mainly coming from the hard left, who criticized certain provisions as potential infringements on civil liberties.

For Macron, whose domestic standing has weakened following his controversial decision to dissolve parliament, this legislation could become one of the final significant accomplishments of his presidency before he leaves office next year. The French government had previously enacted legislation banning phone use in all primary and middle schools, making this new measure an extension of existing policy.

The vote coincides with similar initiatives across Europe. Just days earlier, the British government announced it would consider banning young teenagers from social media as part of efforts to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time. The French bill has been designed to comply with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which imposes strict requirements to ensure online safety. In November, European lawmakers advocated for EU-wide action to protect minors online, including a minimum age requirement of 16 and prohibitions on the most harmful practices.

The legislation comes in response to alarming statistics from France’s health watchdog, which reported that half of French teenagers spend between two and five hours daily on smartphones. Approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones daily for internet access, with 58% specifically using these devices for social networking.

Health officials have highlighted numerous detrimental effects associated with social media use among young people, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to content promoting risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use, and suicide. Several French families have filed lawsuits against platforms like TikTok, claiming a connection between harmful content and teen suicides.

The ban includes exceptions for online encyclopedias, educational or scientific directories, and platforms dedicated to the development and sharing of open-source software.

France’s move follows Australia’s recent implementation of similar restrictions banning social media use for those under 16. Australian officials reported that social media companies have revoked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children since the law took effect. The Australian legislation sparked intense debates about technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health, and has inspired other countries to consider comparable measures.

As digital platforms continue to shape young people’s social experiences and mental development, France’s decisive action represents one of the most aggressive regulatory approaches yet seen in Europe. The legislation reflects growing global concern about the impact of social media on youth mental health and signals a potential shift toward stricter regulation of technology companies regarding their youngest users.