France to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15 in 2026

France plans to ban children under 15 from using social media in 2026, revisiting a 2023 attempt that conflicted with EU rules. The proposed law, supported by President Macron, aims to protect minors from online risks like inappropriate content and cyberbullying, and would extend mobile phone restrictions to high schools. Public support is strong, with polls showing most residents favoring age limits. Similar measures are being adopted globally, including Australia’s ban for under-16s and upcoming regulations in Germany and Malaysia.

France is preparing to make a second attempt in 2026 to restrict access to social media for children under the age of 15, according to reports from local media and international news agencies. This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing concerns about the potential dangers that social media and excessive screen time pose to young people.
The country has already implemented measures to limit the use of mobile phones in schools attended by younger children. However, enforcement of these rules has often been inconsistent, with many schools struggling to ensure compliance. In 2023, the French government attempted to establish a “digital legal age” of 15, a law that would have required social media companies to prevent children under this age from creating accounts. That legislation, however, encountered legal obstacles as it conflicted with European Union rules, preventing it from being fully enacted.
The AFP news agency reported that it had reviewed a draft of the proposed law, which is supported by President Emmanuel Macron. The draft cites numerous studies indicating that excessive use of digital devices can pose serious risks to children’s mental health and overall well-being. According to French media reports, the legislation could be submitted for legal review in early January, and if approved, the ban on social media use by children under 15 could come into effect as early as September 2026. Le Monde newspaper suggested that President Macron might announce the initiative during his live New Year’s Eve address.
The draft legislation highlights the dangers of unrestricted online access for minors. It notes that children can encounter inappropriate content, be exposed to cyberbullying, and face other digital harms that can affect their emotional and social development. If passed, the law would make it illegal for social media platforms to offer their services to children under 15. Furthermore, the legislation would extend existing restrictions on mobile phone usage to include high school students, reinforcing the government’s efforts to limit exposure to digital distractions.
Public concern over the impact of social media on children has grown in recent years, prompting Macron’s government to take stronger action. In 2018, France introduced a ban on mobile phone use in pre-schools and middle schools, targeting children aged 11 to 15. Despite this, enforcement has been uneven, with many students still accessing their devices during school hours.
In 2023, the lower house of the French Parliament, the National Assembly, passed a law establishing a “digital legal age” of 15. This legislation required social media companies to implement age verification systems and deactivate accounts belonging to children unless explicit parental consent was provided. The European Commission, however, raised concerns that this law conflicted with the EU’s Digital Services Act and other directives, preventing it from being fully enforced.
Earlier this year, France’s upper house, the Senate, endorsed a proposal aimed at protecting teenagers from excessive screen time and social media use. This initiative also requires parental authorization for children between the ages of 13 and 16 to register for social media accounts. Public opinion appears to strongly support such measures. An IPSOS poll published in September revealed that four out of five French residents believe social networks should be banned for children under 14.
At the European level, the European Parliament recently called on Brussels to establish minimum age requirements for social media access to address the rising mental health concerns among adolescents caused by excessive online exposure. President Macron has frequently cited social media as a contributing factor to growing violence among young people and has expressed a desire for France to follow the example of Australia.
Australia’s law, which took effect on December 10, 2025, is the first of its kind globally and bars individuals under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Facebook, Threads, Twitch, and X. Platforms that fail to enforce this age restriction face fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $33 million or €28 million), making it the strictest age-based social media law in the world.
Other countries are also moving toward similar regulations aimed at protecting children online. Germany recently tasked a government committee with studying the feasibility of new restrictions for children, with a final report expected in autumn 2026. Malaysia will implement a comparable measure starting January 1, 2026, requiring social media platforms to ban users under 16 and enforce mandatory age verification processes. These global developments underscore a growing consensus on the need to safeguard children from the risks associated with excessive use of digital platforms.