Through a bill that prohibits children under 15 from using social media, France aims to quickly follow Australia’s initiative, which introduced a ban on social media access for minors under 16 that came into force in December 2025.
The bill will be reviewed by the Council of State for legal assessment and by national education unions, as the government intends for the measure to take effect in September 2026.
The French proposal includes two measures: banning social media use by individuals under 15 and prohibiting cell phones in high schools. The law also highlights risks linked to excessive screen time among teenagers, such as exposure to inappropriate content and online bullying. In this context, as stated by Emmanuel Macron in an interview, the project aims to protect future generations from dangers that hinder their development and their ability to live in a society guided by values such as solidarity and empathy.
Moreover, following Australia’s lead, several other countries are considering adopting similar measures, including Denmark, Norway, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.