The France social media ban has officially launched, making the nation the first European country to prohibit social media for children under 15. The country’s parliament passed the corresponding bill, with 279 deputies voting in favor and 81 against.
Key Points of the France Social Media Ban
The new legislation introduces strict restrictions for underage users and educational institutions:
- Age-based ban: Access to platforms is closed for everyone under 15 years old.
- Age verification: The law requires social media platforms to verify the age of their users, although the text does not specify exact verification methods.
- School ban: High school students will be completely banned from using mobile phones on school premises.
The French government plans to implement the new rules in two phases:
- From September 1, 2026: All new accounts will be required to undergo age verification.
- From January 1, 2027: The rules will also apply to existing profiles.
Arguments for the France Social Media Ban
In promoting restrictions for minors in the digital space, French authorities are relying on large-scale scientific and medical research. Paris’s primary argument is the protection of the nation’s mental and physical health. In 2024, a special commission of experts commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron prepared a report that formed the basis for the government’s strict position. The French parliamentarians cited several key arguments when passing the law:
- Screen addiction epidemic: Experts documented a catastrophic sleep deficit among teenagers. Using devices before sleep disrupts melatonin production and leads to chronic fatigue.
- Damage to cognitive abilities: Social media reduces attention spans. Constant scrolling degrades memory and hinders deep learning in school.
- Surge in depression and anxiety: Platform algorithms amplify children’s insecurities. Idealized images lead to body dissatisfaction and trigger depressive states.
- Threat of cyberbullying and violence: Restricting access reduces the risk of harassment. The authorities aim to protect children from online predators and violent or pornographic content.
- Commercial exploitation of children: Social media platforms exploit children’s psychological vulnerabilities. Smart algorithms create artificial dopamine loops to retain attention and sell advertisements.
Global Context of the France Social Media Ban
NEWSROOM IN notes that Australia was the first country in the world to introduce social media restrictions for children in December of last year. However, these measures proved ineffective in practice. Despite this, Australian authorities do not recognize the experiment as a failure and are attempting to strengthen the bans.