France’s National Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The vote passed with 116 in favor and 23 opposed.
A Growing Concern Over Screen Time
The legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to protect young people from the potential harms of excessive screen time. Macron hailed the vote as a “major step,” stating on X (formerly Twitter) that “our children’s brains are not for sale. Not to American platforms, nor to Chinese networks.”
The draft bill targets social networks and “social networking functionalities” within other platforms, with exceptions for online encyclopedias and educational resources. Social media companies would be required to implement age-verification measures to enforce the ban. The legislation also extends an existing prohibition on smartphones in junior high schools to include high schools.
Authorities intend to begin enforcing the new rules for new accounts starting in the 2026 school year.
Following Australia’s Lead
France would become the second country to enact such a ban, following Australia’s recent decision to bar social media access for children under 16. The move in France comes amid increasing concerns about the impact of social media on child development and mental health. France’s public health watchdog, ANSES, recently reported that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram can have detrimental effects on adolescents, particularly girls, including risks of cyberbullying and exposure to violent content.
Lawmakers across the political spectrum voiced support for the bill. Centrist lawmaker Laure argued the law would “set a clear boundary in society,” while far-right lawmaker Thierry Perez described the situation as a “health emergency.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this bill actually ban?
The bill proposes banning individuals under 15 years old from using social networks and “social networking functionalities” embedded within broader platforms, excluding online encyclopedias and educational platforms.
When will this ban take effect?
Authorities aim to enforce the measures for new accounts starting with the beginning of the 2026 school year.
What is the rationale behind this legislation?
The ban is intended to protect French children and teenagers from excessive screen time and the potential negative impacts of social media on their development and mental health, including risks like cyberbullying and exposure to violent content.
As the bill moves to the Senate, the upper house of parliament, it remains to be seen if it will pass in its current form. Should it become law, the implementation of effective age-verification systems will be a key challenge. It is also possible that the legislation could be subject to legal challenges regarding freedom of expression and access to information.
