French lawmakers vote to ban social media use by under-15s

"French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by president Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time. The lower national assembly adopted the text by a vote of 130 to 21 in a lengthy overnight session from Monday to Tuesday. It will now go to the Senate, France's upper house, ahead of becoming law."

"The legislation, which also provides for a ban on mobile phones in high schools, would make France the second country to take such a step following Australia's ban for under-16s in December. As social media has grown, so has concern that too much screen time is harming child development and contributing to mental health problems. The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, either by American platforms or Chinese algorithms, Macron said in a video broadcast on Saturday."

French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media use for under-15s, passing the lower national assembly by 130 to 21. The bill also bans mobile phones in high schools and now moves to the Senate before becoming law. Authorities plan enforcement for new accounts at the start of the 2026 school year, with platforms required to deactivate non-compliant existing accounts by December 31. President Emmanuel Macron framed the measure as protecting children and teenagers from excessive screen time and manipulation by platforms. Former prime minister Gabriel Attal described the law as countering online powers that 'want to colonise minds'.

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