"France intends to follow Australia and ban social media platforms for children from the start of the 2026 academic year. A draft bill preventing under-15s from using social media will be submitted for legal checks and is expected to be debated in parliament early in the new year. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has made it clear in recent weeks that he wants France to swiftly follow Australia's world-first ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which came into force in December."
"Le Monde reported the text of the draft bill cites the risks of excessive screen use by teenagers, including the dangers of being exposed to inappropriate social media content, online bullying, and altered sleep patterns. The bill states the need to protect future generations from dangers that threaten their ability to thrive and live together in a society with shared values."
"Earlier this month, Macron confirmed at a public debate in Saint Malo that he wanted a social media ban for young teenagers. He said there was consensus being shaped on the issue after Australia introduced its ban. The more screen time there is, the more school achievement drops the more screen time there is, the more mental health problems go up, he said. He used the analogy of a teenager getting into a Formula One racing car before they had learned to drive."
France plans a draft bill to ban social media use for under-15s and to ban mobile phones in high schools, aiming for enforcement from September 2026. The draft will be submitted to the Conseil d'Etat for legal review and will be debated in parliament early next year. Primary and middle schools already have phone bans. Education unions will review the proposed high-school phone ban. The draft cites risks of excessive screen time, including exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, disrupted sleep, reduced school achievement, and worsening mental health. Presidential support follows Australia's similar under-16 measures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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