French Lawmakers Adopt Pioneering Social Media Ban For Children Under 15
French lawmakers have adopted a bill banning children under 15 from using social media, making France the first European Union country to approve a blanket ban of this kind. Both chambers of parliament backed the measure, a flagship policy of President Emmanuel Macron's second term, amid growing global concern over the harmful effects of social media on children's mental health; the legislation also bans mobile phone use in French high schools.
Macron wants the law in force by the start of the new school year in September, though a constitutional review could delay this, and the ban will exempt encyclopaedias and educational or scientific sites. Critics, including the left-wing France Unbowed party and child-protection advisers, have questioned how it would be enforced, particularly around identifying and suspending existing under-15 accounts and verifying ages for new ones. The push follows lawsuits by French families against TikTok over teen suicides, and a government health watchdog report finding 90% of 12-17 year olds use smartphones daily, with 58% for social networking, and links to reduced self-esteem and exposure to self-harm and risky content.
In short
- France becomes first EU country to ban social media for under-15s.
- Macron wants the law active by September, pending a constitutional review.
- Critics doubt it can be enforced; child-safety groups still back it.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Children's mental health is demonstrably harmed by social media use, with research linking platforms to reduced self-esteem and exposure to self-harm content, whilst tragic suicides linked to apps like TikTok underscore the urgent need for protection. As a parent-enforced approach has proven ineffective when the vast majority of young adolescents use these platforms daily, legislative intervention represents a necessary protection of vulnerable minors during critical developmental years.
The case against
Whilst social media harms merit serious attention, a blanket ban faces substantial practical obstacles in age verification and account enforcement, and may be unnecessarily heavy-handed when alternative approaches—such as strengthened parental controls, digital literacy curricula, and holding platforms accountable without prohibition—could address root causes more effectively. Such measures also raise legitimate concerns about government restricting young people's access to communication and information, when the causal link between platforms and harm remains complex and potentially confounded by pre-existing vulnerability.
Explained simply
France has become the first European Union country to ban children under 15 from using social media, with both chambers of parliament voting to approve the measure. The legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, also prohibits mobile phone use in high schools and aims to take effect in September 2026. The ban will allow access to educational and scientific websites but will otherwise prevent young teenagers from using social media platforms.
The law reflects growing international concern about the damaging effects of social media on children's mental health and wellbeing. This move was prompted by evidence of high smartphone use among French teenagers, lawsuits brought by families against platforms such as TikTok following teen suicides, and health research linking social media to reduced self-esteem and exposure to harmful content. France's approach marks a significant shift in how governments are addressing the risks posed by these platforms to young people.
However, the ban faces practical challenges that have drawn criticism from some lawmakers and child-protection groups. Questions have been raised about how the legislation will be enforced, particularly regarding identifying and removing existing accounts belonging to children under 15 and verifying the ages of new users. A constitutional review could also delay the law's implementation beyond the planned September start date.
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