French Lawmakers Pass Bill to Ban Social Media Use for Under-15s

French lawmakers have approved a bill that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media, a move President Emmanuel Macron says is aimed at protecting young people from excessive screen time and its impact on mental health.

The bill was adopted by France’s lower house of parliament, following a lengthy overnight session that ran from Monday into Tuesday. Lawmakers voted 130 to 21 in favour of the measure.

The legislation will now be forwarded to the Senate for consideration before it can become law.

President Macron welcomed the vote, describing it as a “major step” toward safeguarding French children and teenagers. In a post on X, he said the measure reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the risks associated with digital platforms.

Under the proposed law, social media platforms would be required to block access for users under 15. The bill also includes provisions to ban the use of mobile phones in high schools, expanding France’s existing restrictions on phone use in schools.

If enacted, France would become the second country to introduce such legislation, following Australia, which passed a similar ban on social media for under-16s in December.

Concerns over children’s screen time have intensified in recent years, with experts warning that excessive exposure to social media may affect child development and contribute to mental health challenges among young people.

“The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, whether by American platforms or Chinese algorithms,” Macron said in a video message broadcast on Saturday.

French authorities plan to begin enforcing the new rules from the start of the 2026 school year, initially applying them to newly created social media accounts.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who currently leads Macron’s Renaissance party in the National Assembly, expressed hope that the Senate would pass the bill by mid-February. He said this timeline would allow the ban to take effect from September 1.

The proposal has sparked debate across France, with supporters arguing it is necessary to protect children, while critics question how effectively the restrictions can be enforced.