France Votes to Protect Kids From Social Media Under 15

France is giving childhood back to kids. The National Assembly just passed legislation that would ban social media platforms for anyone under 15, joining Australia in putting child wellbeing ahead of screen time.

The bill passed with strong support, 130 votes to 21, after an overnight session this week. President Emmanuel Macron called it "a major step" to protect young people from excessive digital exposure and its mental health impacts.

"The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated," Macron said, calling out both American platforms and foreign algorithms. The legislation now heads to the Senate, with supporters hoping it becomes law by September.

France's public health watchdog reported this month that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have measurable negative effects on adolescents, particularly girls. The risks include cyberbullying and exposure to violent content, though social media isn't the only factor affecting youth mental health.

The new law would require age verification systems to work effectively. European regulators are already developing those tools, making the ban technically feasible when school starts this fall.

High schoolers would also see mobile phone bans extended to their classrooms. France already prohibits phones in middle schools for students aged 11 to 15, building on 2018 legislation.

The Ripple Effect

France's decision could reshape how Europe thinks about childhood in the digital age. Nine countries are now watching this experiment closely, and the EU's top leaders have voiced support for similar protections.

The goal isn't to ban technology entirely. Educational platforms and online encyclopedias remain accessible under the law, keeping learning tools in kids' hands while removing the addictive scroll.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized that existing accounts would need to comply by year's end, giving platforms clear deadlines. He framed the effort as defending young minds from manipulation and giving France independence from tech giants.

Not everyone celebrates the approach. Some advocacy groups argue platforms should be held accountable rather than banning children outright, and critics call it oversimplified paternalism.

But for millions of French parents worried about their children's screen time and mental health, this vote represents something rare: elected officials choosing childhood wellbeing over corporate interests.