TL;DR
France has a completed draft bill proposing a ban on social media use by under-15s and a separate ban on mobile phones in high schools. The government plans to submit the text for legal review and to bring the measures into force from the 2026 school year.
What happened
French authorities have finalised a draft bill that would bar children under 15 from using social media and would extend a mobile phone ban to high schools (pupils aged roughly 15–18). The text is due to be sent to the Conseil d'État for legal scrutiny and is expected to be debated in parliament early in the new year. The government says it wants the social media prohibition to take effect from September 2026. The draft cites concerns about excessive screen time, exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying and disrupted sleep among teenagers as motivations for the measures. President Emmanuel Macron has publicly supported a swift move following Australia’s recent under-16s ban. The bill’s authors and ministers say it will be brief and compatible with EU rules such as the Digital Services Act. Education unions are set to examine the proposed high-school phone restriction before parliamentary debate.
Why it matters
- A ban for under-15s would reshape how minors access mainstream social platforms and affect parents, schools and tech companies.
- The draft is framed as aligning national policy with EU regulation (the Digital Services Act), raising legal and implementation questions.
- If enacted, France could add momentum to similar moves in other countries already considering age-based social media restrictions.
- The measure forms part of a broader political priority for the president as he seeks to define his legacy ahead of a challenging final year in office.
Key facts
- The draft bill contains two main measures: a social media ban for under-15s and a ban on mobile phones in high schools.
- France aims for the social media ban to come into force from September 2026.
- The draft will be submitted to the Conseil d'État for legal review and is expected to be debated in parliament early in the new year.
- Phones are already banned in French primary and middle schools; the bill would extend a phone ban to high schools.
- Government documents cited risks linked to excessive screen use, including exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying and altered sleep patterns.
- President Emmanuel Macron has publicly advocated for a rapid move following Australia’s under-16s ban, which took effect in December.
- Anne Le Hénanff, the minister for digital development and AI, said the bill would be short and compatible with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
- A French parliamentary inquiry into TikTok described the platform’s effects on children in stark terms and recommended bans and a night-time digital curfew for older teens.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the Conseil d'État legal review and whether the text is modified before parliamentary debate.
- Parliamentary debate early in the new year and the position of education unions on a high-school phone ban.
- How the government proposes to enforce the under-15 social media ban and what verification or blocking mechanisms would be used: not confirmed in the source.
- Whether the final law will name specific platforms or rely on broader definitions of social media: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Conseil d'État: France’s highest administrative court and advisory body that reviews draft legislation for legal and administrative soundness.
- Digital Services Act (DSA): An EU regulation aimed at increasing accountability for online platforms, including rules on content moderation and systemic risk management.
- Digital curfew: A time-based restriction that would make certain online services unavailable to specified users during defined hours.
- Social media ban (in this context): A legal prohibition preventing people below a specified age from accessing or using defined online social platforms.
Reader FAQ
When would the ban start?
The government wants the social media ban to take effect from September 2026.
Which ages would be affected?
The draft targets children under 15 for social media access and proposes a separate mobile phone ban in high schools (roughly ages 15–18).
Which platforms would be covered by the French ban?
Not confirmed in the source; the coverage of specific platforms in the French draft was not listed, though Australia’s recent law covers platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
Will the law comply with EU rules?
The minister in charge of digital development said the bill would be short and compatible with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
How will the ban be enforced?
Not confirmed in the source.
View image in fullscreen Emmanuel Macron, a driving force behind the draft bill, attending a debate on the effects of social media earlier this month in Marseille. Photograph: Christian Liewig…
Sources
- France targets Australia-style social media ban for children next year
- France moves to ban social media for under-15s, bar …
- France Moves To Ban Social Media For Under-15s, Bar …
- France Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 15
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