France advances bill to ban social media for under-15s
The French Parliament has approved a bill that would ban social media access for children under 15 and prohibit smartphone use in high schools. The legislation, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to reduce screen time and is expected to be enforced by the start of the new academic year.
Why it matters
This represents a significant global shift in how governments are attempting to regulate digital childhood and mitigate the perceived negative impacts of social media on youth mental health.
France on Monday (July 20, 2026) approved a bill that can enforce a social media ban for children under 15. In addition to restricting children’s use of social media, the bill also bans smartphone use in high schools.
The text, which was approved by a reconciliation committee of France’s Parliament, is set to be discussed on Tuesday, before being taken to the Senate. If passed, the law is expected to be enforced around the time when the new academic year begins in September. Meanwhile, France’s Information Technology minister Clara Chappaz is expected to make a list of platforms to be banned for minors in the country, per a Reuters report.
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly advocated banning social media and reducing screen time among minors and students. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also voiced support for limiting the bloc’s children from accessing social media.
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