Jan 26, 2026 11:45:00

French president says he will expedite ban on social media for minors

by

Jacques Paquier

Starting with Australia, which became the first country in the world to pass a law banning the use of social media by people under the age of 16, other countries are considering similar bills to restrict the use of social media. French President Emmanuel Macron, who has previously expressed interest in this type of law, has reportedly requested that the relevant authorities make sure it can be enacted 'by the time the next school year begins.'

DOCUMENT BFMTV. Interdiction des réseaux sociaux aux mineurs: Emmanuel Macron engage la procédure accélérée pour une loi applicable 'dès la rentrée prochaine'
https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/elysee/document-bfmtv-interdiction-des-reseaux-sociaux-aux-mineurs-emmanuel-macron-engage-la-procedure-acceleree-pour-une-loi-applicable-des-la-rentree-prochaine_AV-202601240240.html

Macron says France to fast-track social media ban for under-15s | CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/25/europe/macron-france-under-15-social-media-ban-intl

France's Macron pushes for fast-track ban on social media for kids under 15 - CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/france-macron-ban-social-media-kids-under-15/

In order to protect children, Australia has banned the use of social media by people under the age of 16. This law requires social media companies to take action and disable accounts of minors as soon as they are found.

Australia launches world's first 'social media ban for those under 16' law, targeting TikTok, X, Instagram, YouTube, etc. - GIGAZINE

The EU was also considering related legislation, but President Macron pushed ahead with the enactment of the legislation ahead of other countries.

French President Macron proposes banning social media use by those under 15, including weapons sales sites - GIGAZINE

In January 2026, President Macron was reported to have said, 'I hope the government will expedite the legal process to ensure that the ban on social media use by people under the age of 15 is implemented.'

President Macron thanked the TikTok investigative committee's rapporteur, MP Laure Miller, for introducing the bill, saying, 'The brains of our children and young people are not for sale. Their emotions are not for sale or manipulation, whether by American platforms or Chinese algorithms.'

He added, 'We will ban the use of social media by anyone under the age of 15, and we will also ban the use of cell phones in high schools. I believe these are clear rules. They are clear rules for teenagers, their families, and teachers.' He added that he requested that the bill be considered as soon as possible and that the Senate begin the process of passing it as scheduled so that it will come into effect in September, when the next school year begins.

According to a French health watchdog, one in two teenagers spends two to five hours a day on their smartphones, and survey results show that approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 access the internet daily using their smartphones, with 58% of them using social media. The health watchdog pointed out various harmful effects resulting from the use of social media, including a decrease in self-esteem and increased exposure to content related to risky behaviors such as self-harm, drug use, and suicide.

The bill to ban social media is being led by Laure Miller, a member of President Macron's Renaissance party, and is expected to be discussed within the party soon.