France is preparing to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 15, aiming to implement the measure from the start of the 2026 academic year. A draft bill has been completed and will soon be submitted to the Conseil d’État for legal review, with parliamentary debate expected early next year. The move follows Australia’s world-first ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which came into force in December.

The proposed legislation includes two key measures: restricting under-15s from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, and banning mobile phones in high schools for students aged 15 to 18. Mobile phones are already prohibited in primary and middle schools in France. The government has cited concerns over excessive screen time, exposure to harmful content, online bullying and disrupted sleep patterns as reasons for the ban.

President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the proposal, arguing that increased screen time harms academic performance and mental health among teenagers. Several other countries, including Denmark, Norway and Malaysia, are also considering similar restrictions following Australia’s example. The French government says the bill will be compatible with EU law, including the Digital Services Act, and forms part of Macron’s broader effort to protect children online as he enters the final year of his presidency.

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