Australia-inspired ban: France plans to block social media for under-15s from Sept 2026

France is set to follow Australia’s lead by banning social media use for children under 15, with the measure expected to take effect at the start of the 2026 school year.

According to a Guardian report, citing sources telling Le Monde and France Info, a draft bill outlining the ban has been completed and will be submitted to France’s Conseil d’État for legal review in the coming days.

Parliament is expected to debate the legislation early in the new year.

The proposed law includes two key measures: prohibiting social media use for children under 15 and banning mobile phones in high schools for students aged 15 to 18. Phones have already been prohibited in primary and middle schools.

President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly emphasised the importance of protecting children from the risks associated with excessive screen use.

The draft bill cites dangers such as exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, and disrupted sleep patterns, stating that the restrictions are necessary to “protect future generations” and ensure they thrive in a society with shared values.

Macron indicated earlier this month during a public debate in Saint-Malo that there is growing consensus on the issue, following Australia’s world-first ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which came into effect in December.

The ban in Australia covers platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

The French government aims for the social media ban to be fully enforced from September 2026, coinciding with the start of the new academic year.

Education unions are also reviewing the proposed high-school mobile phone ban.

“The more screen time there is, the more school achievement drops … the more screen time there is, the more mental health problems go up,” he was quoted as saying.

He used the analogy of a teenager getting into a Formula One racing car before they had learned to drive.

“If a child is in a Formula One car and they turn on the engine, I don’t want them to win the race, I just want them to get out of the car. I want them to learn the highway code first, and to ensure the car works, and to teach them to drive in a different car,” The Guardian quoted him as saying.

Following Australia’s recent ban on social media for under-16s, several other countries, including Denmark and Norway, are also considering similar restrictions. Denmark’s government hopes to implement a ban in 2026.

Anne Le Henanff, France’s minister in charge of digital development and artificial intelligence, told Le Parisien this month that the social media ban for under-15s is a government priority.

She added that the bill would be “short and compatible with European law,” specifically the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates online content to combat hateful speech, misinformation, and disinformation.

The social media restrictions form part of President Macron’s broader effort to shape his legacy as he enters a challenging final year in office, with a divided parliament.

On 23 December, last-minute legislation was passed to keep the government running into January after parliament failed to agree on a full budget for 2026, with negotiations set to resume next month.

With inputs from agencies