France Bans Social Media Use for Kids Under 15 Starting September
France's new law bans social media access for under-15s from September 1, 2026.
Why it matters: The law creates fresh regulatory compliance challenges for social media platforms and raises important legal questions on youth data protection policies relevant for privacy and regulatory counsel.
- French Parliament approved the law on July 21, 2026, by a 279 to 81 vote.
- The ban on new accounts for under-15s begins September 1, 2026; existing accounts must close by January 2027.
- The law exempts educational platforms and open-source software from the restrictions.
- It lacks a specific enforcement mechanism for age verification, relying on EU Digital Services Act compliance.
On July 21, 2026, the French Parliament passed a law banning social media access for individuals under 15 years old. The legislation prohibits the creation of new social media accounts for under-15s starting September 1, 2026, and mandates closure of existing accounts by January 2027, according to official timelines.
Championing the bill, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized France’s leadership in protecting children online, stating, "France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers." The law also bans mobile phone use in high schools as part of broader efforts to improve youth mental health and reduce screen addiction.
Unlike some prior proposals, the law does not list banned platforms by name but instead references EU definitions of social networking services. Educational platforms and open-source software are exempt from the ban, ensuring access continues for learning tools.
The European Commission welcomed the measure after amendments aligned it with the EU Digital Services Act. However, the final text does not detail an enforcement mechanism for age verification, leaving compliance monitoring to platforms themselves under the existing EU framework. This gap introduces legal and operational questions about how companies will implement the ban effectively.
French families have recently litigated against platforms like TikTok, linking harmful content exposure to teen suicides, underscoring the growing public concern driving this legislation. With 90% of French teens between 12 and 17 daily users of smartphones—mostly for social media use—the law represents a significant intervention in youth digital engagement.
France is the first EU country to enact a blanket social media ban for children under 15, setting a precedent that may influence regulatory efforts elsewhere as governments grapple with social media’s mental health impact on minors.
By the numbers:
- 279 to 81 — parliamentary vote approving the social media ban law
- September 1, 2026 — effective date banning new social media accounts for under-15s
- January 2027 — deadline to close existing under-15s social media accounts
- 90% — proportion of French teens aged 12-17 who use smartphones daily, mostly for social media
Yes, but: The law’s lack of a defined age verification enforcement mechanism may complicate platform compliance and regulatory oversight.
What's next: The law takes effect September 1, 2026; legal and operational compliance measures by social media platforms are expected before then.