France Parliament Passes Under‑15 Social‑Media Ban, Set for September Implementation
Updated (3 articles)
Parliament Approves Ban with Overwhelming Majority The French National Assembly voted 130‑21 on 27 January to adopt a bill prohibiting anyone under 15 from accessing major social‑media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. The measure is slated to take effect at the start of the school year in September, using a fast‑track procedure requested by President Emmanuel Macron. Support came from the governing coalition, centre‑right Republicans and the far‑right National Rally, indicating broad parliamentary backing[1][2].
Mobile‑Phone Restrictions Extend to Senior Schools The legislation also bans mobile‑phone use in lycées (senior high schools), expanding existing prohibitions in primary and middle schools. Lawmakers argue that limiting screen time during class and after‑school hours will mitigate mental‑health harms documented by France’s health watchdog[1][2]. Macron framed the policy as protecting children’s brains from algorithmic manipulation[1].
Regulatory Mechanism Relies on Two Approved Lists The bill creates two regulator‑approved lists: one of platforms deemed harmful that will be automatically blocked for minors, and a second list of less harmful services that require explicit parental consent. This dual‑list model mirrors age‑verification systems used for online pornography and was drafted after the Council of State raised compatibility questions with French and EU law[2]. The state media regulator will oversee implementation and enforcement.
Government Cites Scientific Consensus and International Precedents December health‑watchdog report showed that 90 % of 12‑17‑year‑olds use smartphones daily and that heavy use correlates with reduced self‑esteem, exposure to self‑harm content, and drug‑use references[1][3]. Macron warned that “young minds are not for sale” to American or Chinese platforms, positioning the ban as a safeguard against foreign algorithmic influence[1][3]. The policy aligns with the EU Digital Services Act and follows Australia’s recent under‑16 ban that removed 4.7 million child accounts[1][3].
Legislative Timeline and Senate Review Remain After passing the lower house, the bill now proceeds to the Senate, which is expected to consider it in the coming weeks under the accelerated procedure. If approved, the law will be enacted before the September school start, avoiding the usual two‑reading schedule that could delay implementation[2][3]. Critics note potential legal challenges regarding EU compatibility, but supporters argue the urgency of protecting teen mental health outweighs procedural concerns[2].
Sources
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1.
AP: France Approves Bill Banning Social Media for Under‑15s: Reports the 130‑21 vote, fast‑track request, mobile‑phone ban in high schools, health watchdog data, and international context including Australia and UK actions.
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2.
BBC: France Moves Toward Ban on Social Media for Under‑15s: Highlights the dual‑list regulator system, parliamentary coalition support, origin of the bill by Laure Miller, and the need for a full‑text vote before Senate review.
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3.
AP: Macron pushes accelerated ban on social media for under‑15s as France cites teen health risks: Focuses on Macron’s televised appeal, his “minds not for sale” rhetoric, the December health‑watchdog report, family lawsuits against TikTok, and the Australian precedent.
Timeline
Dec 2025 – France’s health watchdog releases a report linking heavy smartphone use to teen mental‑health harms, finding that half of teenagers spend two‑to‑five hours daily on phones, 90 % of 12‑17‑year‑olds use them every day and 58 % access social networks, with increased risks of low self‑esteem, self‑harm, drug use and suicide content[3].
Late 2025 – Australia implements an under‑16 social‑media ban, forcing platforms to delete roughly 4.7 million child accounts; the move sparks intense debate over privacy, safety and mental health and becomes a model for other nations[3][1].
Jan 25, 2026 – President Emmanuel Macron addresses lawmakers, urging an accelerated ban for under‑15s and declaring youths’ minds “not for sale” to American platforms or Chinese algorithms, while calling for a fast‑track legislative procedure to have the rule in place by September’s school start[3].
Jan 26, 2026 – The French National Assembly votes to adopt core provisions of the under‑15 ban, creating two regulator‑approved lists (automatic block and parental‑consent access) and proposing a mobile‑phone prohibition in senior high schools; the government seeks a fast‑track process to meet the September implementation deadline[1].
Jan 27, 2026 – Parliament passes the ban by a 130‑21 vote, setting the prohibition to begin at the start of the September 2026 school year and also banning mobile‑phone use in lycées; Macron cites scientific consensus and says children’s brains “are not for sale … to American platforms nor to Chinese networks,” while the Senate prepares its review[2].
Sep 2026 – The law takes effect, automatically blocking under‑15s from platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, allowing limited access to a second list only with explicit parental consent, and enforcing a mobile‑phone ban in senior high schools[1][2].
2026 onward – The United Kingdom launches a consultation on restricting social media for under‑16s, and Denmark, Greece, Spain and Ireland publicly consider comparable bans, reflecting a broader European shift following France’s legislation and the EU Digital Services Act’s push for a bloc‑wide minimum age of 16[1][2].