France is proposing a ban on social media access for under-15s, effective next September, in a draft law backed by President Macron. The bill contains two main measures: outlawing social media services for under-15s and banning mobile phone use in secondary schools. The Senate has also backed parental authorisation for 13- to 16-year-olds; the text now moves to the National Assembly. Enforcement challenges and EU legal issues remain key obstacles.
France Proposes Nationwide Social Media Ban for Under-15s, Plus School Phone Restrictions
France has had mixed success in restricting screen time for children (Saeed KHAN)(Saeed KHAN/AFP/AFP)
France will press ahead with efforts to protect children from excessive screen time by proposing a draft law that would bar social media access for anyone under 15, with the measure intended to take effect by next September, according to a draft seen by AFP.
The proposal has the backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who has urged parliament to begin debate in January. Australia this month enacted a similar but slightly older-age measure, banning social media for under-16s — the first law of its kind worldwide.
What the Draft Law Says
The draft law contains two main articles. The first would make it illegal for online platforms to provide social media services to minors under 15. The second calls for a ban on mobile phone use in secondary schools.
'Many studies and reports now confirm the various risks caused by excessive use of digital screens by adolescents,' the draft says, noting risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyber-harassment and disrupted sleep patterns.
Background and Enforcement Challenges
French authorities say children with unfettered online access face multiple harms, from bullying and harmful content to impacts on mental health and sleep. The government has previously introduced phone restrictions in schools: a 2018 ban covering pre-schools and middle schools is on the books but reportedly poorly enforced in practice.
France also faced legal pushback in 2023 when a law that sought to set a 'digital legal age' at 15 was blocked for conflicting with European Union rules. The new draft explicitly acknowledges enforcement and international-law compliance as challenges to be addressed.
Parliamentary Process
The French Senate recently backed a related initiative that would require parental authorisation for children aged 13 to 16 to register for social media. That text has been forwarded to the National Assembly, which must approve the measure before it can become law.
As the debate continues, lawmakers will need to balance child safety, technological realities, parental responsibility and legal constraints at the EU level. If adopted, France would join a small but growing number of countries rethinking how to protect minors online.
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