France follows Australia’s footsteps as the National Assembly approves ban on social media for under-15s; What’s next for Macron's country

France followed in the footsteps of Australia after the country’s National Assembly backed legislation to ban children ‍under 15 years old from social media on Monday (January 26, 2026). The move comes amid growing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks.

The ⁠bill, which was voted 116 to 23 in favor, proposes banning under-15s from social networks and "social networking functionalities" embedded within broader platforms and reflects rising public angst over the impact of social media on minors, according to news agency Reuters. From here, the bill passes ‌to the ‌Senate before a final vote in the lower house.

France’s decision to ban social media for teens ‍under 15 years old comes almost a month after Australia became the world’s first country to impose a similar restriction for under-16s. In Australia, teens under 16 are not allowed to access social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The ban came into force in December 2025.

Macron blames social media for violence among young people

President Emmanuel Macron has pointed to social media as one factor to blame for ‌violence among young people. He is urging France to follow in Australia’s footsteps. Macron wants the ban in place in time for the start of the next academic year in September.

"With this law, we are setting a clear boundary in society and saying social media is not harmless," centrist lawmaker Laure Miller told the ‌chamber as she ‍presented the bill, as quoted by Reuters. "Our children are reading less, sleeping less, and comparing themselves ‍to one another more," she continued. "This is a battle for free minds."

According to Reuters, Australia's ‌social media ban is being studied in countries including Britain, Denmark, Spain, and Greece. The European Parliament has called for the European Union to set minimum ages for children to access social media, although it is up to member states to impose age limits.