France has taken a major step towards regulating children’s use of social media after its Parliament approved a law prohibiting those under the age of 15 from accessing popular social networking platforms. The legislation, which has received backing from both the National Assembly and the Senate, makes France the first country in the European Union to introduce a blanket social media ban for children under 15 amid growing concerns over the impact of excessive screen time and online content on young people’s mental health.
The new law is expected to come into force from September 1, coinciding with the beginning of the new academic year. Under the legislation, children below 15 will not be allowed to create new accounts on social media platforms. Existing accounts belonging to users under the age limit will also have to be shut down in a phased manner, with platforms being given a few months to comply with the regulations. Authorities have proposed that existing accounts should be removed by January 2027 after age-verification systems are put in place.
The responsibility for implementing the restrictions has been placed on technology companies, which will be required to introduce robust age-verification mechanisms approved by France’s data protection regulator. Lawmakers said reliable verification tools are already available, while more sophisticated systems are under development, making the proposed timeline practical. The law is designed to ensure that platforms, rather than parents, bear the primary responsibility for preventing underage users from accessing their services.
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly supported the legislation, describing it as a necessary measure to safeguard children from the harmful effects of excessive social media use. The initiative has been one of the key digital safety proposals of his administration, reflecting increasing concern over cyberbullying, addictive online behaviour, exposure to inappropriate content and the broader impact of social media on children’s psychological well-being. The French government has argued that protecting minors in the digital age requires stronger safeguards similar to those already existing in other aspects of public life.
The legislation also comes against the backdrop of growing public concern following reports linking heavy social media use with declining mental health among teenagers. Studies and official reports cited during parliamentary discussions highlighted the widespread use of smartphones by French adolescents, with a majority of teenagers accessing social networking platforms daily. Several families have also pursued legal action against social media companies over allegations that harmful online content contributed to severe mental health problems and even suicides among young users.
To ensure the law aligns with European Union regulations, lawmakers modified earlier versions of the proposal so that it complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act. Educational platforms and certain open-source services have been exempted from the restrictions, while the European Commission is expected to review the legislation as part of the notification process required under EU law.
France’s move reflects a broader international trend as governments seek stricter controls over children’s online activities. Australia had earlier introduced a ban on social media access for users under the age of 16, while several other countries are considering similar restrictions. Policymakers across the world have increasingly cited concerns about online harassment, misinformation, addictive algorithms and the effects of prolonged screen exposure on children’s emotional and cognitive development.
While technology companies have generally expressed reservations about blanket restrictions, they have indicated they will comply with legal requirements once the rules take effect. The French government believes the measure will create a safer online environment for children and encourage healthier digital habits, even as debates continue over enforcement challenges and the long-term effectiveness of age-based restrictions on social media use.
