French National Assembly supports ban on social media for children under 15

AKIPRESS.COM – The French National Assembly has backed a bill that prohibits children and teenagers under the age of 15 from using social networks. The document was supported by 130 deputies, while 21 parliamentarians voted against it, Le Figaro reported.

The bill must now be reviewed by the Senate, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks, stated Minister for Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff.

The legislation also includes a ban on mobile phone use, which is already in effect in schools and colleges. Politicians justify the necessity of these measures as protecting children from toxic content, screen addiction, insults, and online harassment.

If finally adopted, France will become the first European country to establish an age threshold for access to social networks, Le Figaro notes. “Our children’s brains are not for sale. Not for American platforms, nor for Chinese networks,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He is pushing for an accelerated review procedure so that the law can take effect by the start of the next school year.

This is not the first time France has attempted to define digital boundaries for minors. In 2023, authorities sought to introduce a so-called “digital age of majority” at 15, but the initiative remained on paper due to conflicts with EU legislation.