In a decisive move aimed at regulating children’s access to social media, France’s lower National Assembly has passed a landmark bill that would ban social media use for individuals under the age of 15. The bill, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved in a lengthy overnight session from Monday to Tuesday, with lawmakers voting 130 in favor and 21 against. The legislation, which also includes measures to prohibit mobile phones in high schools, now heads to the Senate, France’s upper house, before it can become law. Macron hailed the vote as a “major step” toward protecting French children and teenagers from the potentially harmful effects of excessive screen time and online manipulation, framing the legislation as both a public health measure and a step to safeguard the autonomy of young minds.
President Macron emphasized the urgency of the bill in public statements, asserting that social media platforms manipulate the emotions of children and teenagers for commercial or political gain. In a video broadcast over the weekend, he said, “The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, either by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.” Macron framed the legislation as a comprehensive effort to shield young people from digital harms while encouraging healthier developmental patterns. The president also stressed that the bill would reinforce France’s role as a pioneer in Europe, suggesting that the country could set an example for other nations seeking to regulate digital engagement among minors.
The legislation stipulates that access to online social networking services provided by any platform is prohibited for children under 15. The bill also mandates a ban on mobile phones in high schools, echoing a similar prohibition already in place in middle schools since 2018. Educational platforms and online encyclopedias are explicitly excluded from the ban, allowing students to continue using digital resources for learning purposes. To ensure the effectiveness of the legislation, an age verification system is required, and authorities are working in coordination with European agencies to develop such mechanisms. Officials have emphasized that implementation will depend on reliable verification tools to prevent circumvention by users and social media companies.
The timeline for enforcement has been clearly outlined by government officials. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who leads Macron’s Renaissance party in the National Assembly, indicated that the ban would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year for new accounts, while existing accounts would need to be deactivated by December 31, 2026. Attal emphasized the legislative intent to ensure both compliance by platforms and practical enforcement, asserting that these measures would protect children while promoting responsible digital use. He also framed the legislation as a proactive intervention to shape the digital habits of the next generation and protect mental health.
Public health authorities in France have underscored the relevance of the measure in light of growing evidence on the potential harms of social media. The French public health watchdog ANSES recently reported that platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram can have detrimental effects on adolescents, particularly girls. These include exposure to violent content, cyberbullying, and anxiety or depressive symptoms linked to prolonged screen time. While ANSES clarified that social media use is not the sole driver of mental health challenges among teenagers, the agency highlighted the need for protective measures to mitigate identifiable risks.
The French legislation follows a growing global trend of regulating digital access for minors. In December 2025, Australia implemented a similar ban on social media use for children under 16, making France the second country to introduce age-based restrictions on online platforms. Lawmakers and analysts have suggested that these measures may influence broader European debates on children’s rights, online safety, and the responsibilities of social media companies to their youngest users.
Supporters of the bill, including Macron and Attal, have framed the initiative as essential to protecting the independence of children’s minds and ensuring that digital exposure does not undermine their emotional development. Attal described the measure as a way to counter the “colonization of minds” by commercial interests and algorithms, while also advocating for Europe-wide digital safeguards. Both Macron and Attal underscored that the legislation is intended to empower families, preserve mental health, and promote responsible digital literacy among adolescents.
Despite these endorsements, the bill has drawn criticism from various quarters. Arnaud Saint-Martin of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party denounced the measure as “a form of digital paternalism” and argued that it offers an overly simplistic solution to the complex societal challenges posed by technology. Child protection organizations have urged lawmakers to focus on holding social media platforms accountable for harmful practices rather than imposing blanket bans on minors, emphasizing that education, supervision, and platform regulation may provide more nuanced safeguards.
Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne also expressed caution regarding the enforcement of the legislation, particularly in middle schools. She told France 2 that “It’s more complicated than that. We first need to make sure that the ban is properly enforced in middle schools,” highlighting the practical challenges of supervising digital behavior among adolescents. Critics argue that enforcement will require sophisticated monitoring, cooperation from tech companies, and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance and efficacy.
The bill has also sparked debate on the societal implications of restricting children’s access to social media. Proponents argue that it may improve mental health, reduce exposure to cyberbullying, and encourage in-person social interactions. Opponents caution that strict bans may push children toward unmonitored online spaces or private platforms, creating new risks. Policymakers and experts are closely watching the legislative process in France as a potential model for other European countries considering similar regulations.
In addition to mental health considerations, the legislation intersects with debates over digital literacy and family dynamics. Supporters contend that regulating social media access gives parents more control over their children’s online engagement, promoting healthy routines and fostering responsible technology use. Conversely, some educators and child advocates caution that restrictions alone may not address the underlying causes of stress and anxiety associated with social media, emphasizing the need for complementary educational programs on digital citizenship.
The European dimension of the legislation is also significant. The development of an age verification system at the European level reflects growing concern among EU policymakers about the need for cross-border standards for online safety. Coordinated regulatory efforts are considered necessary given the transnational nature of major social media platforms, which operate across multiple jurisdictions and employ algorithms designed to maximize engagement.
France’s legislative initiative highlights the tension between digital freedom and child protection. While the bill prioritizes mental health and developmental considerations, critics question whether age-based bans are sufficient to address the broader challenges posed by the digital environment. The debate touches on questions of autonomy, rights, parental responsibility, and the role of the state in regulating technology for vulnerable populations.
As the bill moves to the Senate, lawmakers are expected to deliberate on implementation details, enforcement mechanisms, and potential amendments. Former Prime Minister Attal has expressed confidence that the Senate will approve the measure by mid-February, allowing it to take effect by September 1, 2026. The legislative timeline underscores the government’s determination to introduce practical safeguards while balancing enforcement challenges.