France Becomes 1st EU Country to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

France has become the first European Union country to ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms after Parliament approved landmark legislation aimed at strengthening online safety for minors.

The bill, which was backed by President Emmanuel Macron, passed the National Assembly by 279 votes to 81 after earlier receiving Senate approval. 

Macron hailed the measure as a "major step forward" in protecting young people online and said he hopes to have it in force by September, pending approval from the Constitutional Council.

"France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers," Macron said, thanking lawmakers for supporting the legislation.

Under the new law, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating new accounts on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat starting September 1. Existing accounts held by underage users are expected to be closed beginning in January 2027.

Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff said the timeline is achievable because age verification technology is already available, with responsibility for enforcing the rules falling on social media platforms.

"For four months, all of us in France will have to prove our age," Le Hénanff said. "If someone is under 15, the account will be closed."

The legislation also includes a ban on mobile phone use in French high schools at the start of the upcoming academic year. 

However, educational platforms and online encyclopedias will remain exempt from the restrictions, and the law does not impose penalties on children or their parents.

France's public health authorities have previously warned that platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram can negatively affect adolescents' mental health, particularly among girls, adding momentum to the government's push for tighter regulation.

The move comes as several countries explore similar measures to limit children's exposure to social media. 

Australia became the first country to introduce comparable legislation last year, while the European Commission is testing an age verification application and considering bloc-wide restrictions following calls from France, Greece and Spain.

If implemented as planned, the legislation will mark one of the final major domestic reforms of Macron's presidency before he leaves office next year.