France has become the first country in the European Union to approve a nationwide ban on social media for children under the age of 15, after lawmakers overwhelmingly passed landmark legislation aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of excessive online use. The measure, strongly backed by President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to take effect at the start of the new school year in September, pending a constitutional review.
Under the new law, children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create social media accounts. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X will be required to implement robust age-verification systems and close existing accounts belonging to underage users within four months of the law coming into force. Failure to comply could expose companies to regulatory action.
The legislation is part of France’s broader effort to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, cyberbullying, screen addiction, anxiety and exposure to harmful online content. The law also includes a ban on mobile phone use in French high schools, with limited exceptions for educational purposes.
Supporters say the measure is a major step toward safeguarding children online and encouraging healthier digital habits. However, critics argue that enforcing age verification will be technically challenging, could raise privacy concerns, and may face legal hurdles under French and European Union law. The Constitutional Council is expected to review the legislation before it officially takes effect.