France becomes first EU state to pass social media ban for children under 15
Paris, July 21, 2026
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Summary
France has become the first EU state to pass a law banning children under 15 from using social networks. The law will enter into force on September 1, 2026, and provides a transition period for existing accounts until January 2027.
Paris, July 21, 2026
The French Parliament voted on Tuesday evening by a large majority to adopt a law banning the use of social networks for children and adolescents under the age of 15, making France the first EU country with such a regulation.
Parliamentary approval by a large majority
The National Assembly in Paris voted late on Tuesday evening with 297 votes in favor of the corresponding bill. The Senate had previously approved it with 243 votes to 2. As a result, the ban can enter into force as planned on September 1, 2026, immediately after the summer holidays. President Emmanuel Macron had declared the project a priority of his term in office. "I had advocated for it, now it is adopted: starting with the new school year, social networks will be banned for children under 15," Macron said after the vote.
France is following the example of Australia with this law. In December, the world's first ban for under-16s came into force there on platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. However, a study published in June showed that the Australian ban has so far had only a limited impact on teenagers' actual use of Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Many minors circumvented the restrictions by creating fake accounts or using the profiles of older persons.
Background: risks to mental health
The aim of the law is to avoid the harmful health effects of online networks on young people. A report by the French health authority had found that the use of these networks significantly impairs the mental health of young people. Cited among the harms were cyberbullying, constant comparisons with others or unrealistic role models, as well as violent content. In addition, algorithms absorb young people's attention and often rob them of sleep.
Anne Le Hénanff, who serves as Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence, described the move as a European first: "France is paving the way by being the first country in Europe to introduce a digital age of majority." Macron himself spoke of a "great step forward" and said: "France is opening the way in Europe for the protection of our children, our young people."
Transition periods and obligations for platforms
Platforms must, within four months after September 1, delete existing profiles of underage users who have not yet turned 15. These accounts benefit from a transition period until January 1, 2027, as Macron had already announced the previous month: "werden wir die schon existierenden Konten von Unter-15-Jährigen schließen". Thereafter, young people under 15 will no longer be allowed to create new accounts.
Operators are required to deploy an age-verification system approved by the French data protection authority. Users are to be offered several parallel methods to choose from, in order to ensure the broadest possible acceptance. "In my view, the platforms are largely prepared," said rapporteur Laure Miller, who belongs to the governing coalition.
The rapporteur also pointed out that YouTube and WhatsApp only need to introduce age verification for those parts that correspond to a social network — for example, channels with comment functions. Simply watching videos and private messages are exempt from the ban. The law also provides for exceptions for online encyclopedias and digital education projects. Sanctions against children or their parents are not envisaged.
Reactions and the political environment
The left-wing populist party LFI voted against the project, while Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist RN abstained. The independent lawmaker who ran against Macron in the second round of the election is, under French constitutional rules, not eligible to run again in the presidential election in spring 2027.
A few weeks before passage, the EU Commission had asked France to revise the law. Brussels had expressed concerns that the previous Senate draft was incompatible with EU law because it encroached on the Commission's competence. "What must be prevented is a fragmentation into national systems that could lead to legal uncertainty or weaken enforcement," said a Commission spokesperson.
Objections from Brussels
The objections were not without consequences: the amended version was adopted by both chambers on the afternoon before the parliamentary summer recess. Miller stressed that the French law is in line with forthcoming European legislation. According to its own statements, the EU Commission has already developed an app that stores the user's age on the smartphone and automatically blocks non-permitted apps.
In parallel with the French plans, an expert panel commissioned by the EU Commission presented its recommendations for youth protection on the internet last week. The panel advocated a social media ban in the EU for children under 13 and considered national restrictions for older adolescents possible, provided online services do not sufficiently protect them from addiction risks, depictions of violence, and hate speech.
European context and the German debate
Worldwide, concern is growing over the negative effects of social media on minors. In addition to France, other EU member states are considering corresponding restrictions. Spain, Greece and Austria are debating bans or age limits for minors on online platforms. According to information from the article, the United Kingdom is planning a nighttime social media curfew for young people.
Similar steps are also being debated in Germany. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien announced her intention to push through a comparable ban. Meanwhile, a minimum age of 13 for social media and other online services is being discussed at the EU level.
The French law also extends the existing ban on mobile phones in schools to upper secondary education. Until now, the ban applied to primary schools and lower secondary level; in future, exceptions will be possible. The aim is to ensure undisturbed concentration on classes in the school day of older year groups as well. Overall, the precise practical implementation of the social media ban remains open.
Miller was on the whole confident that the new rules will hold up. She pointed to the fundamental alignment with ongoing EU initiatives. Should the French model prove itself in practice, it could, according to observers, serve as a blueprint in other European countries as well — not least against the backdrop of a growing political willingness to better protect children and young people from the risks of digital networks.
Questions & Answers
Why has France passed a social media ban for under-15s?
France wants, with this law, to avoid the harmful health effects of online networks on young people; a report by the French health authority identified significant risks to the mental health of young people.
When does the ban take effect and what transition periods apply?
The ban enters into force on September 1, 2026; existing accounts of under-15s must be deleted by the platforms within four months, by January 1, 2027 at the latest.
What role is the EU Commission playing in the French law?
The EU Commission had raised concerns about compatibility with EU law and pointed to its own competence for platform rules; the amended law was adopted by both chambers after a revision and is intended to be in line with forthcoming EU legislation.
France: Social media ban for under-15s adopted | allfacts360
