French parliament passes social media ban for under-15s, first in EU

France has become the first European Union country to pass a law banning social media access for children under 15 years old. The French parliament approved the bill on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a key reform to protect young people online. This new legislation, which also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, aims to address growing concerns about the harmful effects of digital content on minors.

The implementation of the ban will occur in two phases. Starting September 1, 2026, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating new social media accounts. The ban will then extend to existing accounts for this age group from January 2027. Social media platforms will be tasked with enforcing age verification, with the digital minister, Anne Le Hénanff, stating that existing tools and those under development would make the timeline realistic.

While France leads the way in the EU with this measure, other European nations like Spain, Denmark, and Greece are also exploring similar restrictions on social media access for minors. The law, which requires review by the Constitutional Council before full implementation, is intended to safeguard children's well-being against the perceived negative impacts of social media.