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France is planning to implement a ban on social media use for children under 15 and intends to ban mobile phones in high schools starting September 2026, according to local media reports. These initiatives highlight the growing concern among the public about the negative effects of online platforms on young people.
President Emmanuel Macron has frequently cited social media as a contributor to youth violence and has indicated that France aims to follow Australia’s lead. Australia introduced a landmark ban in December 2022 that prohibits social media access for individuals under 16 on platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
The French government plans to submit draft legislation for review early in January, as reported by Le Monde and France Info. While Macron did not mention this legislative effort in his New Year’s Eve speech, he emphasized his commitment to “protect our children and teenagers from social media and screens.”
Previously, France has banned mobile phones in primary and middle schools since 2018. The new proposed measures would extend this ban to high schools, where students aged 11 to 15 attend, covering the entire secondary education system.
Additionally, France enacted a law in 2023 requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing users under 15 to set up accounts. However, enforcement has been challenging due to technical obstacles.
Macron has called for regulatory action at the European Union level. Following a tragic stabbing at a school in eastern France, he expressed intent in June to advocate for EU-wide measures to restrict social media access for anyone under 15. In November, the European Parliament urged the EU to establish minimum age requirements for social media use to address increasing mental health issues among adolescents linked to excessive online exposure, though specific age limits are set by individual member states.
Other countries are also exploring ways to control minors’ social media access. Currently, Macron’s domestic efforts are set against a backdrop of political turbulence, as his gamble in the 2024 parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament. This political deadlock has led to weak governments and ongoing crises. Nonetheless, public opinion appears favorable toward stricter restrictions; a 2024 Harris Interactive poll found that 73% of respondents support banning social media for those under 15.
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