French MPs back ban on social media for under-15s

Parliamentarians in the lower house voted 116–23 late on Monday to approve the core provisions of the legislation, which would prevent young teenagers from using platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.

If enacted, the law would form part of a broader international shift towards restricting children’s access to social networks amid mounting evidence of harm to mental health. Australia passed similar legislation late last year, while several European countries are considering comparable measures.

Mr Macron welcomed the vote as a “major step” and urged ministers to fast-track the remaining stages so the ban could take effect by the start of the next school year in September. “Our children’s brains are not for sale,” he wrote – on social media.

The bill’s author, MP Laure Miller, said it would set a clear boundary. “Social networks are not harmless,” she told Le Monde, arguing they had divided society, overwhelmed users with information and encouraged isolation rather than connection.

Under the proposals, the state media regulator would compile a list of social media platforms considered harmful, which would be banned outright for under-15s. Other platforms deemed less risky could be accessed only with explicit parental consent. The legislation would also extend France’s existing ban on mobile phones to senior schools, having already been introduced in junior and middle schools.

A key challenge will be enforcement. France would need to agree on a reliable age-verification system, building on mechanisms already used to restrict access to online pornography.

The bill stems from a parliamentary inquiry chaired by Ms Miller into the psychological effects of TikTok and similar platforms. Mr Macron has made the issue a rare flagship domestic policy in the final phase of his presidency, despite political paralysis following the hung parliament elected in 2024.

The legislation has already been revised to address concerns raised by the Council of State about compatibility with French and EU law. A similar attempt in 2023 was struck down by the courts on European law grounds.