France likely to become first EU nation to approve social media ban for under-15s

French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first EU nation to do so.

The ban will block under-15s from creating new accounts starting September 1, 2026, and apply to existing accounts from January 2027.

The bill also includes a mobile phone ban in secondary schools, championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a flagship reform.

The lower house's approach requiring platforms to refuse new users under 15 and suspend existing accounts prevailed over a two-tier system from the Senate.

Exceptions are provided for sites like online encyclopaedias and educational platforms.