France is preparing to follow Australia’s precedent by introducing a ban on social media platforms for children under the age of 15, with the measure expected to take effect from the 2026 school year.
According to The Guardian, a draft bill prohibiting the use of social media by under-15s will soon be submitted for legal review and is expected to be debated in parliament at the beginning of the new year.
Inspired by Australia’s Landmark Decision
French President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear in recent weeks that he wants France to act swiftly after Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for minors under 16, a law that entered into force in December. The Australian ban covers major platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Key Measures in the Draft Law
French media outlets Le Monde and France Info reported that the draft legislation includes two main provisions:
- A ban on social media use for children under 15
- A ban on mobile phones in high schools, attended by students aged 15 to 18
Mobile phones are already prohibited in primary schools and lower secondary schools across France.
The bill will be submitted in the coming days to the French Council of State (Conseil d’État) for legal scrutiny, while education unions are expected to review the proposed ban on phones in high schools.
Concerns Over Screen Time and Mental Health
The government aims for the social media ban to come into force in September 2026. According to Le Monde, the bill highlights the risks of excessive screen use among adolescents, including:
- Exposure to inappropriate content
- Online bullying
- Disruption of sleep patterns
The legislation emphasizes the need to “protect future generations” from risks that threaten their ability to thrive and live together in a society based on shared values.
Macron: “More Screen Time Means More Problems”
Earlier this month, Macron confirmed during a public debate in Saint-Malo that he strongly supports banning social media for younger adolescents, noting that a “consensus is forming” following Australia’s decision.
“The more screen time there is, the lower school performance becomes… and the more mental health problems increase,” Macron said.
He compared social media exposure to putting a child behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car before learning how to drive, stressing the importance of teaching rules and responsibility first.
European Momentum Growing
Other European countries are also considering similar measures following Australia’s move. Denmark is reportedly aiming to introduce a ban by 2026, while Norway is also exploring restrictions for under-15s.
French Minister for Digital Affairs and Artificial Intelligence Anne Le Hénanff told Le Parisien that the ban is a government priority, adding that the bill would be short, clear, and fully aligned with EU law, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), which targets hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation online.
Political Context
The proposed ban is also seen as part of Macron’s effort to shape his political legacy as he enters the final and challenging year of his presidency, marked by a deeply divided parliament. Budget negotiations for 2026 are set to resume next month after lawmakers narrowly passed stopgap legislation in late December to keep the government functioning.
