PARIS (TechGenez) – French lawmakers have approved a new law banning social media access for children under 15, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts across Europe.
The bill passed the National Assembly on Tuesday by 279 votes to 81. President Emmanuel Macron immediately hailed the decision as a “major step forward” for protecting children and teenagers.
“France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers,” Macron said in a video posted on social media. He thanked parliamentarians and said the Constitutional Council must now rule on the law before it can take full effect.
Key Details of the Law
The legislation will be rolled out in two stages:
- From September 1, children under 15 will be blocked from creating new social media accounts
- Existing accounts will be closed by January 2027
The onus will be on platforms to verify user ages, and the government has said the timeline is realistic because age-verification tools already exist.
Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff told journalists that for four months everyone in France will have to prove their age. “If someone is under 15, the account will be closed.”
The law also includes a ban on mobile phones in French high schools, which will take effect at the start of the new school year in September.
Je m’y étais engagé, c’est désormais voté : les réseaux sociaux seront interdits aux moins de 15 ans à la rentrée. Merci aux parlementaires. Au Conseil constitutionnel de statuer puis place à l’action pour rendre cette mesure concrète et protéger nos enfants en ligne. pic.twitter.com/jC79unxX67
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 21, 2026
Public and Political Support
The vote has strong backing from parents and teachers who say platforms are addictive and harmful to young people’s mental health. President Macron has repeatedly warned that social media has “robbed” children of their attention and has called for them to spend more time in the real world.
The legislation builds on similar bans already in place in Australia and Greece, and reflects growing concern across Europe about the impact of social media on children’s health and safety.
Platform Responses
Technology companies, including Meta and Google, have said they already have age restrictions in place and will comply with any new legal requirements. The European Commission is preparing its own rules on online safety and has indicated that French law must respect existing EU legislation.
Timeline
The bill now goes to the Constitutional Council for final review before becoming law. Enforcement is expected to begin in September 2026, with full compliance required by January 2027.
Conclusion
France’s approval of the social media ban for children under 15 is a clear signal that the country wants to protect young people from the risks of addictive online platforms. As more nations follow suit, the law could set a new standard for digital safety across Europe and help give children the time they need to grow up in the real world.
