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France Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-15s Starting September 2026

The government plans to send a short bill to the Conseil d'État in early January for legal vetting, with EU rules and practical enforcement in focus.

Overview

  • The draft, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, pairs an under‑15 social‑media prohibition with an extension of the school phone ban to high schools.
  • The government intends to submit the text to the Conseil d'État in early January before a parliamentary debate, with a start date targeted for the 2026 school year.
  • The bill would bar platforms from offering social‑media services to minors under 15, following Australia’s under‑16 model cited by Macron.
  • Government notes cite research on harmful content exposure, cyberbullying and disrupted sleep to justify stricter age limits.
  • France’s 2023 attempt clashed with EU rules and enforcement remains a concern, with teacher unions warning schools lack capacity to police a wider phone ban.