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France to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Published December 31, 2025, 16:13
France to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

France is pushing forward with legislation that would ban access to social media for children under the age of 15, aiming to protect them from the risks associated with excessive screen time. The proposal is supported by President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to be debated in parliament in January. This move follows Australia, which imposed a similar ban for children under 16 this month. According to the French draft law, children under 15 are exposed to “inappropriate content” and could experience cyberbullying or disruptions to their sleep patterns. The bill includes two articles: one that would make it illegal to “provide an online social networking service to a minor under the age of 15” and another that would ban the use of mobile phones in middle and high schools. The ban on mobile phone use in kindergartens and primary schools has been in effect since 2018, but is rarely enforced. The French government is seeking to address the problem of excessive screen use by teenagers, as studies highlighting the risks to their mental and physical health are increasing.