Wednesday 31 December 2025 – 04:38 PM
France intends to follow in Australia’s footsteps in imposing a ban on social media platforms for children, starting from the beginning of the 2026 academic year, according to what was reported by The Guardian newspaper.
Block social media
According to the report, a draft law prohibiting those under the age of 15 from using social media is scheduled to be submitted to conduct a legal review, and will be put up for discussion in Parliament at the beginning of the new year.
French President Emmanuel Macron has made clear in recent weeks his desire for France to move quickly to adopt a step similar to the unprecedented global Australian ban on the use of social media for those under 16 years of age, which came into effect last December, and includes platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Le Monde and France Info newspapers reported on Wednesday that the draft law is ready, and includes two main measures: banning the use of social media for those under 15 years old, and banning the use of mobile phones in secondary schools where students from 15 to 18 years old study, and mobile phones had already been banned in primary and middle schools.
The draft law is scheduled to be submitted to the French Council of State in the coming days for legal review, and education unions will also review the proposal to ban phones in secondary schools.
The French government aims for the social media ban to enter into force in September 2026.
Le Monde reported that the text of the draft law indicates the dangers of excessive use of screens among teenagers, including exposure to inappropriate content on social media, cyberbullying, and disturbed sleep patterns. The draft stipulates the need to protect future generations from risks that threaten their ability to grow and live together in a society governed by common values.
Several other countries are considering imposing a ban on social media for those under 15 years old after the Australian move, including Denmark, whose government hopes to implement a similar ban in 2026, as well as Norway.
