President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for France to become one of the first European Union nations to prohibit social media access for children under 15, following similar initiatives in Australia and Indonesia. However, the two parliamentary chambers hold differing views on the legislation, necessitating a compromise before it can be enacted.
The National Assembly passed a bill in January requiring social media platforms to block new users under 15 and suspend existing accounts belonging to children below that age. The legislation also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, with authorities aiming for enforcement starting in September. Meanwhile, the Senate, which approved the bill on Tuesday, expressed reservations and introduced amendments that could delay final adoption. A Senate committee proposed a two-tier system distinguishing platforms deemed harmful to a child’s physical, mental, or moral development from those accessible with parental consent. Their version excludes online encyclopedias and educational sites from restrictions.
First Lady Brigitte Macron has long campaigned against cyberbullying, and France’s public health agency highlighted last year that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram negatively impact adolescents, especially girls, though they are not the sole cause of declining mental health. President Macron emphasized that children’s emotions should not be exploited or manipulated by American and Chinese tech companies. After the government shelved a major pensions reform last year, this social media ban could represent Macron’s final significant domestic policy before his term ends in April 2027.
Opposition remains, with nine child protection groups urging lawmakers to hold platforms accountable rather than banning children from social media. Hard-left lawmaker Arnaud Saint-Martin criticized the ban as “digital paternalism” and an overly simplistic reaction to technology’s negative effects.
Implementing the ban poses challenges. Although the EU is developing an age verification system, it is not expected until early 2027. The European Commission supports France’s right to impose such restrictions but stated enforcement would fall under EU jurisdiction if the law aligns with bloc regulations. Concerns persist that children under 15 might bypass controls using virtual private networks or migrate to emerging platforms.
Internationally, Australia became the first country in December to mandate removal of accounts held by under-16s on major platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, threatening heavy fines for noncompliance. Indonesia enforced a similar ban for under-16s starting Saturday and has already summoned Google and Meta over violations. Austria recently announced plans to ban social media use for children under 14, aiming to introduce legislation by summer. Spain and Denmark have also declared intentions to establish a digital age of majority for social networks.
