France has become the first European Union member state to pass a nationwide law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The legislation, approved by both chambers of Parliament, is one of the final major initiatives of President Emmanuel Macron's second term and also includes a ban on mobile phone use in high schools. The government aims to implement the new rules before the start of the school year in September, although a constitutional review could delay their enforcement.

The new law is intended to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on children's mental health and online safety. While access to mainstream social media platforms will be prohibited for those under 15, the restrictions will not apply to online encyclopedias, educational websites or scientific directories. President Macron said the measure would strengthen protections for children and teenagers, adding that France was taking a leading role in Europe on the issue.

Supporters of the legislation, including parents' groups and child protection advocates, welcomed the move. Many have argued that prolonged exposure to social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and harmful online behaviour among young users. The debate has gained momentum in France following lawsuits filed by several families against TikTok, alleging that harmful content on the platform contributed to teenage suicides and other serious mental health issues.

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Despite broad political support, the legislation has also faced criticism. Lawmakers from the left-wing France Unbowed party questioned whether the law complies with the French Constitution and argued that enforcing a nationwide age-based ban would be difficult. Experts have also raised practical concerns over identifying existing accounts belonging to children under 15 and implementing reliable age-verification systems for new users.

According to France's national health watchdog, around half of French teenagers spend between two and five hours each day using smartphones, while about 90 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 access the internet daily through mobile devices. The watchdog has warned that excessive social media use can increase exposure to harmful content, including material promoting self-harm, drug use and suicide, while also affecting emotional well-being and self-confidence.

France's decision reflects a broader international trend towards stricter regulation of children's online activity. Australia previously introduced legislation prohibiting children under 16 from holding social media accounts, while countries including Spain, Denmark, Greece and the United Kingdom are considering similar measures. At the European Union level, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also called for tighter restrictions on children's access to social media, with discussions continuing on possible bloc-wide regulations.

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