France Could Join Australia in Banning Social Media for Kids Under 15
France has become part of an expanding group of nations that have implemented or are contemplating stricter regulations regarding young people’s access to online platforms. In his New Year’s Eve address, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Paris would safeguard “children and teenagers from social media and screens”. His remarks were broadly interpreted as a reference to proposed legislation aimed at limiting social media access for children under 15. As reported, the draft bill is set to be debated in the country’s parliament on January 19, 2026. The bill additionally suggests a nighttime “digital curfew” for older teenagers aged 15 to 18, aimed at restricting social media usage during late hours.
Under the proposal, restrictions on mobile phone usage, which are currently enforced in primary and middle schools, will also be applied to high schools. A six-month investigation by a French parliamentary commission revealed that platforms such as TikTok were intentionally exposing minors to harmful and addictive content, as reported. Authorities have stated that the measures are designed to safeguard children from online dangers including cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual abuse. Officials contend that the architecture of social media platforms subjects young users to excessive screen time, detrimental content, and significant social pressure.
Experts have cautioned that frequent notifications, alerts, and disappearing content can interfere with sleep, diminish attention spans, and elevate stress levels in children and teenagers. Australia has implemented some of the most stringent regulations to date. As of December 10 of the previous year, social media companies have been mandated to deactivate the accounts of users who are under the age of 16. Regulators have mandated that platforms conduct regular evaluations to determine if they meet the criteria of “age-restricted social media platforms,” particularly in light of any changes to their features or core purposes.
Most major social media platforms have implemented safety measures designed to safeguard younger users. Meta is enhancing age verification measures to guarantee that teenagers are exposed only to content suitable for their age group. It additionally refrains from suggesting sensitive or potentially harmful content to teenagers on platforms like Reels and Explore. Snapchat has implemented stricter safeguards for its younger audience. By default, teen accounts are set to private, allowing them to communicate solely with friends they have previously approved. Tagging is restricted to current contacts. TikTok and other platforms have implemented comparable changes; however, regulators globally are insisting on more robust and uniform protections as concerns persistently escalate.
