The French government has announced a new draft law to ban social media access for children below the age of 15, starting from September 2026. This legislative proposal is part of a broader effort to protect young people from the negative effects associated with excessive use of digital platforms. The bill, which will be debated in Parliament early next year, would prohibit platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube from providing social networking services to minors under 15.
Under the new plan, age verification systems would be mandated for online platforms to ensure that users below 15 cannot access these services — moving beyond simple self-declared ages. In addition to social media restrictions, France also plans to extend existing bans on mobile phone use in schools, which currently apply only up to middle school, to include high schools as well.
President Emmanuel Macron has backed this initiative strongly, highlighting concerns over mental health issues, cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and disruptions to sleep patterns among young users. France’s move follows Australia’s world-first ban on social media for children under 16, which took effect in late 2025.
The bill assigns the French communications regulator ARCOM (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique) the responsibility for enforcement and requires compliance with both national standards and the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). While the idea has strong public support, it must still pass through the French Parliament, where negotiations are expected to be complex due to political divisions.
This development is a key current affairs topic because it reflects global trends in digital regulation, child protection policy, and public health governance. Governments worldwide are now focusing on how to protect minors from risks associated with social media, such as addiction, psychological stress, bullying, and misinformation. France’s proposal joins similar moves by Australia and other countries considering youth restrictions online, underscoring the intersection between law-making, technology, and social welfare — an essential area for exams covering polity, governance, and international affairs.
From a policy perspective, this draft law raises questions about freedom of expression, privacy, and administrative enforcement. The requirement for age verification could involve legal and technical challenges, especially regarding data protection and compliance with EU regulations like the Digital Services Act. Students preparing for exams in governance or law should understand how national legislation integrates with broader EU digital policy frameworks.
The news is also significant for social sectors covered in exams such as the administration of education, child welfare, and public health. Extending mobile phone bans in schools and restricting social media access reflects how governments are attempting to balance technology use with developmental and educational priorities. Exam questions may probe into the rationale behind such welfare-oriented regulations and their expected outcomes.
France has long been proactive in regulating children’s exposure to digital media. In 2023, the country passed a law establishing a legal “digital majority” at age 15, requiring parental consent for social media accounts — though it has not yet been enforced due to EU legal conflicts.
Before this draft law, political leaders and experts had already called for stricter measures to reduce screen time and online harms among minors. In May 2025, a French report proposed extensive limitations on screen use, including “digital curfews” and environmental limits for children and teenagers.
The latest proposal aligns with international shifts, notably Australia’s social media ban for under-16s that began in late 2025. France’s move could influence other EU nations, where discussions are ongoing about similar minimum age limits. The draft bill’s debate in early 2026 is set against this backdrop of global digital safety initiatives, making it a defining moment in internet governance and youth policy.
France plans to ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube, starting from September 2026. The move aims to protect minors from cyberbullying, mental health issues, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Social media platforms will be required to implement age verification systems to ensure users under 15 cannot access their services. This goes beyond self-declared ages and may involve parental consent or secure ID verification.
The French communications regulator ARCOM (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique) will monitor compliance. The law will also align with the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) to ensure platforms meet both national and EU standards.
This news is crucial for exams as it touches on child protection policy, international digital governance, public health, and EU regulatory frameworks. Questions may also cover the societal and educational implications of government regulations on technology use.
Yes, in 2023, France legally established a digital age of majority at 15, requiring parental consent for social media accounts, although enforcement was delayed due to legal conflicts. The new bill strengthens these regulations and extends them to high school mobile phone policies.
Australia introduced a world-first social media ban for children under 16 in late 2025. France’s move aligns with a global trend of regulating minors’ access to digital platforms to protect mental health and ensure online safety.
The goals include reducing mental health risks, limiting exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content, improving sleep patterns, and promoting safe digital practices among minors.
National Cow Culture Museum Mathura is India’s first cow heritage museum showcasing indigenous cattle breeds,…
PM Surya Ghar Scheme 2 Years Analysis covering rooftop solar subsidy, 1 crore household target,…
Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum project transforms North and South Blocks in New Delhi under…
WPI inflation January 2026 rises to 1.81% marking a 10-month high. Understand causes, CPI vs…
Geeta Patnaik obituary news – Legendary Odia singer passes away at 73. Read detailed current…
V.O. Chidambaranar Port IGBC Platinum certification and BEE Shunya recognition highlight India’s first major port…