France Passes Social Media Ban for Under-15s

France just took a major step to protect its youngest citizens from the potential harms of social media.

The French National Assembly passed a bill banning social media use for children under 15 by a vote of 130 to 21. The decision came after an overnight session and marks France as only the second country to take such protective action, following Australia's under-16 ban in December.

President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the vote as a "major step" for French children and teenagers. He's been a vocal champion of the legislation, arguing that kids need protection from excessive screen time and manipulative algorithms.

"The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, either by American platforms or Chinese algorithms," Macron said in a video broadcast over the weekend. His words reflect growing global concern about how social media affects child development and mental health.

The legislation goes beyond just social media. It also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, showing France's comprehensive approach to managing screen time for young people.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who leads Macron's Renaissance party in the National Assembly, hopes the Senate will pass the bill by mid-February. The goal is to have the ban take effect on September 1, 2026, for new accounts, giving platforms until the end of the year to deactivate existing accounts that don't meet the age requirement.

The Ripple Effect

France's decision could inspire other nations wrestling with similar concerns about children's digital wellbeing. The European Commission confirmed that while France has the right to impose such a ban, the EU will oversee enforcement to ensure platforms implement proper age verification tools.

This means tech companies will need to develop better systems to verify users' ages, potentially benefiting children across Europe and beyond. When major countries set new standards for protecting kids online, global platforms often adapt their practices worldwide rather than maintaining different rules for different regions.

The move shows governments are increasingly willing to prioritize children's mental health over unrestricted access to digital platforms. It represents a shift in how societies think about childhood in the digital age, choosing protection and development over unlimited connectivity.

France is betting that giving kids more time to grow and develop before entering the social media world will lead to healthier, happier teenagers and adults.