Cyprus Times

France Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Published January 27, 2026, 06:08
France Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

France is set to become the first European country to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 15. The lower house of the French parliament has adopted a bill aimed at protecting the health of young people from the risks associated with excessive use of these platforms, such as mental health problems and exposure to inappropriate content. The bill, which is supported by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved with 130 votes in favor to 21 against and will now be forwarded to the Senate for further review. Macron described the measure as a “major step” in protecting youth and emphasized the need for continued protection of young people in the digital world. The ban will apply to access to popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Parents will be responsible for ensuring their children do not violate the law. The bill provides for penalties for non-compliance, including for social media platforms. France hopes its move will set an example for other European countries.