Starting in September 2026, France intends to prohibit children younger than 15 from using social media platforms. The plan has the support of President Emmanuel Macron.
France is planning new laws to protect children online, according to Le Monde. The proposed rules would prevent anyone under 15 from using social media and would also expand restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools.
This decision highlights France’s increasing worries about how social media affects young people, especially when it comes to violence and harmful content. President Macron has often stated that social media platforms can contribute to aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.
France already prohibits mobile phones in elementary and middle schools, a rule that’s been in place since 2018. Now, they’re considering extending this ban to high schools, meaning students between the ages of 15 and 18 wouldn’t be allowed to use them. For context, French middle schools are for students aged 11 to 15.
French news outlets report the government plans to have the proposed law reviewed by legal experts in early January. While President Macron didn’t specifically mention the legislation in his New Year’s Eve speech, he emphasized the need to safeguard children and teenagers from the harmful effects of social media and excessive screen time.
The Elysee Palace and the prime minister’s office declined to comment on the reports, Reuters said.
France has already tried to limit how young people use social media. A law passed in 2023 requires children under 15 to get permission from their parents before signing up for social media accounts.
President Macron has been advocating for changes across Europe. After a tragic stabbing at a school in eastern France in June, he proposed that the European Union create rules to prevent children under 15 from using social media. Then, in November, the European Parliament asked the EU to think about setting minimum ages for social media use, as concerns about adolescent mental health are growing. However, individual countries still make their own decisions about age restrictions.
The French president has often mentioned Australia as an example, as they blocked anyone under 16 from using popular social media sites last December.
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2026-01-01 16:48