Paris: France is preparing a major rule to stop children under 15 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram. A typhoon snout has been drawn up that would make it illegal for these platforms to offer social networking services to under-15s. Lawmakers are expected to debate it early in the year. If approved, the ban could start with the school year in September 2026.
Why now?
French leaders say the move is well-nigh protecting young people from the risks of too much screen time and harmful online content. The government points to studies showing that heavy social media use can expose children to inappropriate material, cyberbullying and disrupted sleep. President Emmanuel Macron has backed the plan, saying social media can stupefy teens' wellbeing and school performance.
How would it work?
Under the typhoon law, social media companies would be vetoed from providing social networking services to anyone under 15. This goes vastitude existing rules that require parental consent for under-15s; those rules have been nonflexible to enforce in practice.
The snout moreover includes an expansion of the mobile phone ban in schools. Phones are once vetoed in primary and middle schools. The new measure would proffer that ban to upper schools, meaning students up to well-nigh 18 years old would squatter limits on delivering phones during school hours.
Is this new in Europe?
France's proposal would follow Australia's world-first law that bans social media for children under 16, which came into effect recently. Other European countries are moreover discussing stricter age limits on social media wangle as concerns well-nigh youth mental health and online safety grow.
What's next?
The typhoon snout is set for legal review surpassing going to parliament early in 2026. It still faces political debate and may be revised surpassing lawmakers vote. If approved, the ban would be one of the most far-reaching limits on children’s wangle to social media in the world.
