France has approved a nationwide ban on social media use by children under the age of 15, becoming the first European Union country to pass such a broad restriction amid growing concerns over the impact of online content on young users.
Both houses of the French Parliament voted in favour of the measure on Tuesday, making it one of the flagship initiatives of President Emmanuel Macron's second term. The legislation also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools.
The move comes as concerns mount over the harmful effects of social media on children's mental health. Several French families have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that harmful content on the platform contributed to teenage suicides.
Children's rights advocates and many parents welcomed the decision.
"We've been campaigning for this bill from the start because, frankly, we have no other option to counter the tech giants," said Gaëlle Berbonde, a mother from the Paris region. "The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect them from drinking alcohol."
Berbonde told The Associated Press that her daughter received her first smartphone while in seventh grade. Although the family used parental control software, they were unaware of the nature of content on TikTok. Within months, they discovered their daughter was engaging in self-harm and struggling with anorexia and depression. After spending a year and a half in hospital, she has now recovered and is 16 years old.
Macron seeks implementation by September
The legislation is among the final major reforms adopted before Macron leaves office next year. He wants the law to take effect at the beginning of the new school year in September.
However, the bill is expected to undergo a constitutional review, which could delay its implementation.
"France is leading the way in Europe in protecting our children and our teenagers," Macron said, adding that the government would continue its efforts in this area.
The ban does not apply to online encyclopedias, educational websites or scientific directories.
Lawmakers from the left-wing France Unbowed party opposed the bill, arguing that its constitutional basis remains uncertain, it could undermine online anonymity and would be difficult to enforce.
Ines Legendre, legal adviser at online child protection group e-Enfance, said the legislation would not immediately result in a complete ban.
She said authorities would still need to determine how to identify and suspend existing accounts held by children under 15 and establish an effective age-verification system for all new users.
Growing concerns over children's online safety
According to France's health watchdog, one in every two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day using a smartphone. A report published in December found that about 90% of children aged 12 to 17 access the internet daily through smartphones, while 58% use them mainly for social networking.
The report linked excessive social media use to lower self-esteem and greater exposure to harmful content related to self-harm, drug use and suicide.
The legislation was amended after the European Commission found that an earlier version overlapped with provisions of the EU's Digital Services Act, which regulates online platforms. Following negotiations, lawmakers agreed on a revised version before giving it final approval.
Similar restrictions gaining support worldwide
France's decision comes as governments around the world consider tighter restrictions on children's access to social media.
Australia became the first country in 2024 to ban children under 16 from holding social media accounts. Under the law, platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram can face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about US$35 million) if they fail to prevent underage users from creating accounts.
In Europe, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed restricting social media access for children under 16. Denmark and Greece have also announced plans for similar measures, while the United Kingdom has said it is considering comparable restrictions.
Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also called for stricter limits on children's use of social media. An EU expert panel recommended banning access for children under 13 until technology companies can prove their platforms are safe for young users.
Von der Leyen also said children under the age of three should not be exposed to screens at all and urged technology companies to address addictive features such as infinite scrolling. The European Commission is expected to present proposals for consideration by the EU's 27 member states in the near future.