French lawmakers move to restrict social media access for under-15s, following Australia’s lead

France has taken a significant legislative step toward restricting children’s access to social media, as the National Assembly voted to approve a bill banning under-15s from using social networking platforms. The move places France on a similar path to Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for minors under 16 late last year.

The bill was approved late Monday by a large majority, with votes ranging between 116–23 and 130–21 depending on the session count, reflecting broad political backing across party lines. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it must be approved before returning to the lower house for a final vote.

Under the proposed law, children below the age of 15 would be barred from accessing social media platforms and social networking features embedded within other digital services. Platforms likely to be affected include major networks such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and similar services deemed harmful by regulators. A state authority would be tasked with drawing up and maintaining the list of restricted platforms.

The initiative is driven by mounting concerns over online bullying, excessive screen time, and the impact of algorithm-driven content on children’s mental health. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly linked social media use to rising violence and psychological strain among young people, arguing that the issue requires clear regulatory boundaries. He has called for the ban to take effect by the start of the next academic year in September.

The proposed framework also introduces age-verification requirements that must comply with European Union law. While France already operates age checks for adult content online, enforcing restrictions on social media presents additional challenges. Australian authorities have acknowledged similar difficulties since their ban came into force, with underage users continuing to find ways around controls.

Beyond social media access, the French legislation would extend an existing ban on mobile phones in primary and middle schools to include high schools, further tightening digital restrictions in educational settings.

France’s decision is being closely watched across Europe. Countries including the UK, Denmark, Spain, Greece and Ireland are considering similar measures, while the European Parliament has urged the EU to explore minimum age requirements for social media use, leaving enforcement to individual member states.

If passed by the Senate, France would become the second country globally to implement a nationwide social media ban for young teenagers. The outcome could further accelerate international efforts to regulate children’s access to online platforms and reshape how social media companies approach age verification and youth safety in Europe.