French legislators have overwhelmingly passed groundbreaking legislation prohibiting social media access for children under 15, marking a significant shift in digital child protection policy. The National Assembly approved the measure with a decisive 130-21 vote late Monday, positioning France as a European leader in youth digital safety initiatives.
The comprehensive bill, which also extends mobile phone restrictions to high school environments, represents one of President Emmanuel Macron’s final major policy initiatives before his term concludes next year. Macron championed the legislation, declaring that “our children’s brains are not for sale—neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks” and emphasizing that youthful “dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”
This legislative action aligns with broader European movements addressing digital safety concerns. The French proposal has been carefully crafted to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which establishes rigorous online protection standards. Notably, the British government recently announced similar considerations regarding social media restrictions for teenagers.
Support for the measure transcended traditional political divisions within the fractured National Assembly, though some left-wing critics raised civil liberties concerns. The legislation follows previous French laws prohibiting phone usage in primary and middle schools.
Alarming statistics from France’s health watchdog reveal the urgency behind these measures: 90% of adolescents aged 12-17 access the internet daily via smartphones, with 58% actively engaged on social platforms. Research indicates extensive smartphone usage ranging from two to five hours daily among half of French teenagers.
The health agency’s December report documented serious consequences including diminished self-esteem and increased exposure to content promoting self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide. Several French families have initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, alleging connections between platform content and teenage suicides.
The legislation exempts educational resources, scientific directories, and open-source software platforms from restrictions. Australia’s implementation of similar age restrictions has already resulted in social media companies blocking approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors, sparking international debates balancing technology use, privacy concerns, and mental health protection.
The bill now advances to Senate consideration, with Macron advocating for expedited approval to implement the restrictions by the upcoming September school year.