Macron Pushes for Fast-Tracked Social Media Ban for Under-15s in France

French President Accelerates Social Media Ban for Minors

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday, January 24, 2026, his intention to fast-track legislation that would prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15. The accelerated procedure aims to have the law in force by the start of the next school year in September 2026. This initiative is part of a broader governmental effort in France to safeguard minors from the potential harms of online platforms and excessive screen time.

President Macron stated that he has 'asked the government to launch the accelerated procedure so the process can move as quickly as possible.' This legislative approach allows a bill to be read just once in each parliamentary chamber, rather than the usual two times, to expedite its passage. The draft legislation is scheduled for debate in the National Assembly on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Rationale Behind the Ban and Broader Context

The President emphasized the protective nature of the proposed ban, stating, 'The brains of our children and teenagers are not for sale. Their emotions are not for sale, nor are they to be manipulated, whether by American platforms or by Chinese algorithms.' This sentiment underscores concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of young people. The proposed law also includes provisions for a ban on mobile phones in high schools.

This move follows a July 7, 2023, French law, often referred to as the 'Digital Majority Law,' which established a digital age of majority at 15. This existing law requires parental consent for minors under 15 to register for social media services and mandates platforms to inform both children and parents about digital risks. The new legislation seeks to strengthen these protections by moving towards an outright ban without parental consent for this age group.

Implementation and International Parallels

The implementation of such a ban will necessitate robust age verification systems from social media platforms. The French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, Arcom, in consultation with the French data protection agency, CNIL, is responsible for establishing the technical standards for age verification. Arcom has already been active in setting age verification requirements for access to pornographic content under the SREN Law of May 21, 2024, which could provide a framework for social media.

France's initiative aligns with a growing global trend to regulate children's access to social media. Australia became the first country to ban social media for under-16s in December 2025. The UK's House of Lords also recently approved a similar ban, and the European Commission has announced plans for a stricter approach to children's social media use at the EU level.