France’s National Assembly voted Monday to approve legislation that would ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media, reflecting mounting concern across the country about online bullying, mental health risks, and the broader impact of digital platforms on young people.
The proposed law would prohibit under-15s from using social networks as well as “social networking functionalities” embedded within larger platforms. Lawmakers say the measure responds to widespread public anxiety over how social media affects minors, from sleep deprivation to self-esteem issues.
The bill passed the National Assembly by a vote of 116 to 23 and now moves to the Senate for consideration before returning to the lower house for a final vote.
President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly pointed to social media as a contributing factor in rising youth violence and behavioral problems. He has urged France to follow the example set by Australia, which implemented the world’s first nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16 in December. That Australian law covers major platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Macron wants France’s ban in place before the next school year begins in September, signaling urgency from the country’s leadership to address what many view as a growing crisis among young people.
“With this law, we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying social media is not harmless,” centrist lawmaker Laure Miller told the chamber while presenting the bill. She argued that constant online engagement is reshaping childhood in damaging ways.
“Our children are reading less, sleeping less, and comparing themselves to one another more,” Miller said. “This is a battle for free minds.”
France’s proposal is being closely watched abroad. Australia’s ban is already under review in several European countries, including Britain, Denmark, Spain, and Greece. At the EU level, the European Parliament has called for setting minimum age requirements for social media access, though individual member states retain authority over enforcement.
Support for restricting minors’ access to social media is strong across the French political spectrum. Far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez described the issue as a public health crisis, saying the legislation responds to a “health emergency.”
“Social media has allowed everyone to express themselves, but at what cost to our children?” Perez asked during the debate.
Under the proposed French law, social media platforms would be required to prevent access by young teenagers using age-verification systems that comply with European Union regulations. Lawmakers acknowledged that enforcing such restrictions presents challenges.
Australia’s government has already admitted its rollout has been uneven. After the ban took effect, social media feeds were reportedly flooded with messages from children claiming to be under 16 and boasting that they were still able to access the platforms.
The French legislation goes further by expanding an existing ban on smartphones in junior and middle schools to include high schools, tightening controls on students’ access to digital devices during the school day.
Public opinion appears firmly behind the effort. A Harris Interactive survey conducted in 2024 found that 73 percent of French respondents supported banning social media access for children under 15.
Teenagers themselves offered mixed reactions on the streets of Paris. Some acknowledged the risks associated with social media and said restrictions could be helpful. Others argued the ban goes too far and unfairly limits how young people communicate and socialize.
As the bill advances, France is positioning itself at the forefront of a broader international push to rein in social media’s influence on children, betting that firmer boundaries are necessary to protect the next generation.
