France has become the first European Union country to ban social media for children under 15, following overwhelming parliamentary approval. The law, passed with 279 votes in favor and 81 against, prohibits new accounts for under-15s starting September 2026 and requires existing accounts to be closed by January 2027. The legislation also bans phones in high schools and mandates age verification for all social media platforms.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
France’s parliament approved the ban, making it the first EU nation to enforce such restrictions. The law will be implemented in two phases: new accounts for under-15s will be blocked from September 2026, and existing accounts will be deactivated by January 2027. Social media platforms must use age-verification tools approved by France’s privacy regulator.
Deeper Dive & Context
Rationale and Enforcement
The ban follows France’s public health watchdog’s findings that social media harms teenagers’ mental health, particularly girls. President Emmanuel Macron, who cannot run for re-election, has prioritized online child safety as a legacy issue. Critics question the enforceability, citing potential workarounds like VPNs or fake identities. Privacy advocates warn that stricter age checks may require more personal data.
Global Context and Opposition
France joins Australia, which banned under-16s in December 2025, though enforcement remains challenging. The UK is considering similar measures, including a curfew on social media use. Social media companies oppose blanket bans, arguing their existing protections are sufficient. The European Commission is developing broader regulations to safeguard young users.
Public and Political Reactions
Supporters, including parents and children’s advocates, praise the law as a necessary step to protect minors. Opponents argue it may push young users to less regulated platforms. The law’s speed has also drawn criticism, with some questioning the readiness of age-verification tools.