French parliament approves ban on social media for children under 15

France’s National Assembly has approved a bill prohibiting social media access for minors under 15.

President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the decision on X, urging the Senate to expedite the process so the law can take effect from the next school year, Caliber.Az reports.

Interdire les réseaux sociaux aux moins de 15 ans : c’est ce que préconisent les scientifiques, c’est ce que demandent massivement les Français.

Après un travail fructueux avec le Gouvernement, l’Assemblée nationale vient de dire oui.

C’est une étape majeure.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2026

“Because our children’s minds are not for sale. Neither on American platforms nor on Chinese networks. Their dreams cannot be dictated by algorithms. We do not want an anxious generation, but one that believes in France, the Republic, and its values,” Macron wrote.

According to Le Monde, 130 deputies voted in favour of the ban, while 21, mainly from La France Insoumise and the Greens, voted against it. Proposed by Deputy Laure Miller of Renaissance, the bill prohibits online platforms from providing any social services to children under 15, except for educational platforms and messengers like WhatsApp. It also includes a ban on mobile phone use in middle schools.

If fully adopted, France will become the second country, after Australia, to implement such restrictions for minors.

By Jeyhun Aghazada