French Lawmakers Vote on Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

 

Photo Credit: Reuters

French lawmakers are voting on a bill that would ban social media access for children under 15, citing concerns about children's online safety. The proposal comes as several governments consider restrictions on children's access to social media.

If adopted, France would become the latest country to introduce such restrictions, following Australia's nationwide ban on certain social media access for under-16s that came into force in December.

French President Emmanuel Macron supports the proposal and has said he wants the law in force before the new school year.

Senators and deputies agreed on the draft legislation at committee level late on Monday. The bill requires social media platforms to set up systems of age verification approved by the French privacy regulator.

Under the proposal, children younger than 15 would be barred from opening a social media account beginning Sept. 1. Social media platforms would have another four months to deactivate accounts already open.

Online encyclopaedias and educational websites would remain exempt under the proposal.

Social media platforms generally oppose blanket bans and stress they already have measures to protect younger users, including age restrictions. Social media companies have also argued that age verification presents privacy and implementation challenges, though they have pledged to comply where governments enact regulations.

The European Commission is also reviewing online safety rules affecting minors and will assess whether France's bill respects existing European legislation.

Source:

• Reuters (July 21, 2026).

• https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/french-lawmakers-vote-social-media-ban-children-2026-07-21/