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France has become the first country in the European Union to pass a nationwide social media ban for children under the age of 15.
Both chambers of the French Parliament approved the legislation on Tuesday, July 21. As a result, France is the first EU member state to introduce a general age restriction for social media platforms. The French National Assembly passed the bill by a vote of 279 to 81.
The ban is set to take effect on September 1, 2026. From that date, children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create new accounts on social media platforms. Existing accounts belonging to underage users must also be removed by the platforms starting in January 2027.
France Wants to Keep Children Away From TikTok and Instagram
The law applies to all services classified as social networking platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
French President Emmanuel Macron backed the measure from the very beginning and pushed for the legislation to be passed before the start of the next school year.
Macron said, "France is taking a leading role in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and young people," following the vote, calling the legislation a major step forward. However, the law must still be reviewed by France's Constitutional Council before it can officially take effect.
The platforms themselves will be responsible for verifying the age of their users. France's Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff said that the necessary age verification systems already exist or are currently being developed.Users in France will have four months to verify their age. Anyone found to be under the age of 15 will lose access to their account. However, it remains unclear exactly how the age verification process will work.
Smartphone Restrictions at Schools Will Also Be Expanded
The new legislation goes beyond social media. France also plans to tighten restrictions on smartphone use in schools.
Smartphones are already partially banned in French primary and middle schools. Beginning with the 2026/27 school year, those restrictions will also apply to high schools.
France's national health authority previously warned that platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram can have negative effects on young people, with girls being particularly vulnerable. However, the authority also stressed that social media is not the sole cause of declining mental health among young people.
Critics of the ban have meanwhile raised concerns about privacy, the speed of implementation, and whether age verification measures can realistically be enforced.
The legislation includes exemptions for online encyclopedias, educational platforms, and scientific or educational services. Children and their parents will not face penalties for violating the ban.
More Countries Are Considering Social Media Bans
While France is the first EU country to introduce such a law, similar measures have been gaining momentum around the world.
Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are required to remove accounts belonging to underage users, with companies facing significant fines for non-compliance.Spain, Denmark, Greece, and the United Kingdom have also announced or are considering similar age restrictions. In total, around 20 countries worldwide have proposed or introduced comparable legislation.
France could therefore become just the first of several European countries to block younger users from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and other social networks.
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