By Haifa Chairunisa
France is planning to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media as part of efforts to curb excessive screen time and protect minors online. According to a draft law cited by AFP on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the restrictions are set to take effect from September under the proposed legislation. The move follows a similar policy introduced in Australia, which bars social media access for children under 16.
The proposal has the full backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who last month urged parliament to begin deliberations on the bill in January 2026. The draft legislation cites multiple studies highlighting the risks of excessive digital screen use among adolescents, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyber harassment, and disrupted sleep patterns.
The bill consists of two main provisions. The first would prohibit online platforms from providing social media services to children under 15. The second would ban mobile phone use in secondary schools. Macron has said protecting minors in the digital space is a government priority, though authorities acknowledge challenges related to enforcement and compliance with international regulations.
France has previously introduced similar measures with limited success. A ban on mobile phone use in kindergartens and junior high schools has been in place since 2018 but is rarely enforced. In 2023, France also passed a law setting the digital age of consent at 15, though it was later blocked for breaching EU rules.
Earlier this month, France’s upper house backed additional measures to limit teenagers’ screen time, including requiring parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to register on social media platforms. The proposal has been submitted to the National Assembly, which must approve the text before it can become law.
Original article
Comments