Ban on social media for under-15s: What we know about the government's plan

A 14-year-old looks at his mobile phone near Gosford, Australia, October 24, 2025. DAVID GRAY/AFP

The government and some lawmakers have sought for several years to restrict younger users' access to platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. They have condemned what they see as the dangers posed by exposure to certain content, addiction driven by algorithms and the risk of cyberbullying.

This is now the focus of a new bill introduced by the government. Announced Wednesday, December 31, and set to be debated in Parliament at the beginning of 2026, it aims to ban the use of social media by those under the age of 15. The Conseil d'Etat [France's highest administrative court] is scheduled to give its opinion on the bill on January 8.

Subscribers only

Macron seeks consensus and pledges to work 'until the very last second' in penultimate New Year's Eve address

Ban on social media for under-15s: What we know about the government's plan

Other newsrooms on this story

Related reading

France seeks to ban social media for children under 15

France eyes ban on social media for under-15s

French MPs approve social media ban for children under 15

France debates under-15s social media ban endorsed by Macron

France weighs banning children under 15 from social media - UPI.com

French lawmakers vote to ban social media use by under-15s