French lawmakers have backed a bill banning social media for children under 15, in what one lawmaker likened to a “battle for free spirit.”
The bill, which also bans cellphones in high schools, passed late Monday by a vote of 130 to 21. The bill now heads to the Senate for discussion before a final vote.
“With this law we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying that social media is not harmless,” French MP Laure Miller told the meeting.
“Our children read less, sleep less and compare themselves more to each other,” she continued. “This is a battle for free spirits.”
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French lawmakers described the bill as a “battle for the free spirit.” (iStock)
Macron has pushed lawmakers to speed up the legislation so that the ban could come into effect in time for the start of the next academic year in September.
“Banning social media for people under 15: this is what scientists recommend, and this is what the French people overwhelmingly demand,” Macron said after the vote. “Because our children’s brains are not for sale – neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams should not be dictated by algorithms.”
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during his visit to the Istres military air base, southern France, January 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni, Swimming Pool)
The idea of setting a minimum age for using the platforms has gained momentum across Europe.
The vote comes days after the British government said it is considering similar restrictions as it tightens rules to protect children from harmful online content and excessive screen time.
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Australia became the first in the world to introduce a social media ban for children under 16 in December, restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
France’s health watchdog warned of links between heavy social media use and lowered self-esteem and increased exposure to content linked to risky behavior, including self-harm, drug use and suicide. (Nimito/Getty Images)
The French health watchdog reports that one in two teenagers spends between two and five hours a day on a smartphone. A December report found that about 90% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 use smartphones every day to access the internet, while 58% use them for social media.
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The agency warned of links between heavy social media use and lowered self-esteem, as well as increased exposure to content linked to risky behavior, including self-harm, drug use and suicide.
