France: First EU country to ban social media for under-15s

Emmanuel Macron personally championed this bill, defending it as support for overwhelmed parents. After the vote, he wrote on X that social media would be banned for children under 15 starting with the school year.

Opposition was not unanimous. La France insoumise (LFI)—a radical left party founded by Jean-Luc Mélenchon in 2016—voted against the law, citing concerns about the end of online anonymity. The Socialist Party abstained.

Context: A second attempt, coordinated with Brussels

In 2023, the National Assembly had already voted on similar legislation that never came into force. It violated the Digital Services Act (DSA)—EU regulation 2022/2065 on digital services, adopted October 19, 2022—which gives the EU primary authority to regulate online platforms.

The 2026 law was drafted in coordination with the European Commission to avoid this legal conflict. It also differs from Australian legislation: it establishes neither a blacklist of sites nor age estimation through artificial intelligence.

Emmanuel Macron and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, co-signed an op-ed linking excessive digital use among young people to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, increased aggression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation among vulnerable youth.

The European dimension

The European Commission's Directorate-General CONNECT supports the French approach and views the law as a pilot project. France hopes that a similar ban across the entire EU will follow quickly.

At the most recent Franco-German ministerial council held in Brühl, both governments committed to introducing a unified "digital age of majority" across Europe. They also agreed to establish high-level dialogue between their youth protection authorities.

Timeline

1. October 19, 2022
   The EU adopts the Digital Services Act (DSA), establishing the European Commission's primary authority in regulating digital platforms.
2. 2023
   The French National Assembly votes on legislation banning social media for minors. The bill remains unenforceable because it violates the DSA.
3. July 21, 2026
   The French Parliament adopts the new law 279-81 in the National Assembly and 243-2 in the Senate. France becomes the first EU country with such legislation.
4. September 1, 2026
   Scheduled entry into force: new accounts for people under 15 are prohibited, subject to possible constitutional review.
5. January 1, 2027
   End of the four-month transition period: complete closure of existing accounts belonging to users under 15.

What remains uncertain

Before entering into force, the law could face constitutional review. If such review is initiated, enforcement of the law could be postponed beyond September 1, 2026.

The penalties platforms face for non-compliance and the precise list of services covered by the law are not specified in available sources.

Frequently asked questions

21 July 2026 at 16:59