France to Ban Social Media Access for Under-15s Starting September 2026

The French government has announced a new legislative initiative to ban social media access for individuals under the age of 15, effective from September 1, 2026. This proposal aims to address various risks faced by young adolescents, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, disturbed sleep, and the broader effects of excessive screen time.

The proposed law consists of two key articles. The first prohibits children aged 0 to 14 from accessing online social media platforms, while the second article seeks to extend the current ban on mobile phone use—already implemented in primary and middle schools since 2018—to high school students as well. The regulatory authority Arcom, which oversees audiovisual and digital communication, will be responsible for enforcing the ban.

President Emmanuel Macron has made this legislation a priority, with discussions slated to begin in January 2026. The law is designed to be consistent with European regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), ensuring alignment with broader EU digital safety policies. Alongside this government initiative, other legislative proposals are underway, including an alternative plan supported by Gabriel Attal's group and a Senate-approved text that would require parental consent for minors aged 13 to 16 to access social media.

This comprehensive legislative move is part of France's continuing efforts to safeguard youth wellbeing in the digital age through stricter regulation of social media access and device usage in educational settings.