French lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, as the country steps up efforts to protect minors from the potential harms of excessive online use. If approved, the law would take effect from September 1, with social media companies given an additional four months to deactivate existing accounts belonging to underage users. Platforms would also be required to introduce age verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator.
The proposal follows Australia’s landmark ban on social media for users under 16 and reflects a broader global push to address concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, and attention spans. Educational websites and online encyclopaedias would remain accessible, while major platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube would be affected.
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the measure, arguing that limiting social media use before the age of 15 will help young people develop into more responsible citizens. Although social media companies generally oppose blanket bans, they have indicated they will comply where governments introduce such laws. The European Commission is also reviewing broader regulations on protecting minors online and will assess whether France’s proposed legislation aligns with existing EU laws.
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