French lawmakers approve social media ban for children under 15
France’s lower house has adopted legislation banning access to social media for children under 15 and restricting mobile phone use in high schools. The bill, backed by the government, now moves to the upper chamber for consideration.
French lawmakers have approved a bill that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms and ban the use of mobile phones within high school premises. The vote took place on 26 January 2026 in the Assemblée nationale, marking a significant step in France’s efforts to regulate young people’s digital environment.
The legislation was introduced by MP Laure Miller of the centrist Renaissance party and is supported by the government. President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the bill will follow a fast-track legislative procedure. After approval in the lower house, the text will now be examined by the Sénat before it can become law.
Supporters of the measure argue that social media poses documented risks to children’s mental health and well-being. The proposal builds on the findings of a parliamentary inquiry into the psychological effects of TikTok on minors, which identified age-based restrictions as a key policy response. During parliamentary debates, proponents framed the bill as an attempt to set clearer societal boundaries around children’s exposure to digital platforms.
In addition to restricting social media access, the legislation introduces a ban on mobile phone use by students during school hours in high schools. French authorities say the combined measures are intended to reduce distractions in education settings and limit harmful online exposure during adolescence.
If adopted by the upper chamber, France would join a growing group of countries experimenting with age-based limits on social media use, as governments across Europe and beyond reassess how digital platforms affect children and teenagers.
