By Lana Kerfoot, Jan. 26, 2026
PARIS — In a move certain to fuel global debate over technology, childhood and government authority, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to fast-track landmark legislation that would ban children under 15 from major social media platforms, with the law expected to take effect in September as the new school year begins. The announcement comes amid rising conservative and parental concerns about the psychological and social impact of online networks on youth.
In a video message released Saturday night, Macron told lawmakers he has ordered an accelerated legislative process so that the ban — backed by a draft bill circulating in the French Parliament — can be passed and enacted quickly. “The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale. The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated — neither by American platforms, nor by Chinese algorithms,” Macron said, quoting his remarks directly from the address.
The legislation, sponsored by lawmaker Laure Miller, would bar access to online social networking services for those under 15, with limited exceptions for purely educational or informational sites. Under the draft proposal, platforms deemed “harmful” would be outright prohibited for minors, while others could potentially remain accessible only with explicit parental consent.
Macron went further, suggesting the law could also expand mobile phone restrictions in schools — a policy France has already applied to younger students — to include high schoolers as well. “We are banning social media for under-15s, and we are going to ban mobile phones in our high schools,” he added in the address.
Conservatives and Parents Applaud
Conservative lawmakers and parent groups hailed the move as overdue. They argue that constant social media use — driven by engagement-maximizing algorithms — contributes to declines in attention, mental health, and self-esteem among children. According to recent French health watchdog data, roughly 90% of children ages 12–17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, and more than half of those surveyed use social networks regularly.
Supporters see this as a proactive step toward reclaiming childhood from what they describe as unregulated tech giants whose business models thrive on young attention and data monetization.
Critics Warn of Overreach
Not all voices are in agreement. Some civil liberties advocates and technology commentators warn the proposal could set a dangerous precedent in government overreach, raising questions about parental authority, online anonymity, and how such a ban would be enforced in practice. Critics also ask whether age verification systems might end up requiring intrusive personal data to prove users’ ages, potentially reshaping broader internet identity norms.
European neighbors are watching closely. Australia recently enacted a world-first social media ban for children under 16, prompting other nations to explore similar measures. The United Kingdom has indicated it is considering a potential age-based restriction as part of broader child safety reforms.
What’s Next
French lawmakers are expected to debate the bill publicly this week, with an initial vote anticipated in the National Assembly before moving to the Senate. If successfully enacted, the law positions France at the forefront of a new era in technology regulation — one where states assert greater control over children’s digital environments, raising questions about free expression, parental rights and the future of youth participation in online communities.
Lana Kerfoot is a technology news reporter focused on emerging technologies, major tech companies, and how innovation is transforming business and society.
