The French Parliament has approved legislation to prohibit social media access for children under 15, making France the first European nation to implement such a ban. The new law, which passed both houses of Parliament on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, will take effect on September 1, 2026, preventing users under 15 from creating new social media accounts. Enforcement for existing accounts held by minors will commence in January 2027.
In addition to the social media restrictions, the legislation also bans cell phone use in high schools. Mobile devices are already prohibited in elementary and middle schools across France.
President Emmanuel Macron, who has long advocated for these measures, celebrated the parliamentary vote. He stated on X that his commitment to banning social media for those under 15, starting with the back-to-school period, has now been fulfilled.
The new law necessitates age verification for all social media users, a requirement that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. Social media platforms will be mandated to have their age verification methods approved by France’s privacy regulator.
France's move follows similar bans implemented in Australia, Turkey, and Indonesia. However, enforcing such bans has proven challenging, with researchers in Australia reporting that a significant percentage of teenagers continue to access social media despite the ban launched there in December.
Other European leaders, including those in Greece and Spain, have expressed intentions to enact their own bans, though these have not yet materialized. The European Commission is also considering a bloc-wide ban for users under 13, with President Ursula von der Leyen stating on July 12 that a clear starting age for social media use is necessary to prevent mental harm, addiction, and misery from unrestricted access by big tech to children.
While acknowledging the importance of regulating platforms, some critics have cautioned against blanket bans. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, suggested that efforts should instead focus on compelling platforms to prioritize human rights over profit. Callamard urged governments to target harmful features, such as engagement-based algorithms that can lead children to content promoting depression and suicidal thoughts.
