France has enacted a law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, marking the first such comprehensive restriction within the European Union. The legislation, approved by both chambers of the French Parliament on Tuesday, is a signature initiative of President Emmanuel Macron’s second term. It also includes a ban on cellphone use in high schools.

The law aims to address growing concerns about the detrimental effects of social media and digital content on children’s mental health. The push for the legislation gained urgency amid lawsuits filed by families against TikTok, alleging that harmful online content contributed to teen suicides.

Gaelle Berbonde, a parent from the Paris region, expressed support for the new regulation, emphasizing the need to protect children from digital harms similarly to other age-restricted products such as alcohol. Berbonde recounted her personal experience with her daughter, who started using a smartphone in seventh grade. Despite parental controls, the family became aware of her daughter’s struggle with anorexia, depression, and self-harm, conditions that led to a year and a half of hospitalization. Her daughter has since recovered.

President Macron intends for the law to come into effect by the start of the new school year in September. However, implementation may face delays pending a constitutional review. Macron stated that France is setting a precedent within Europe for safeguarding children and teenagers online.

The legislation exempts certain digital resources, including online encyclopedias and educational or scientific directories. Critics from the left-wing France Unbowed party raised concerns regarding the law’s constitutionality and feasibility, questioning how online anonymity would be preserved and how enforcement would be managed.

Legal experts also highlight challenges surrounding existing accounts belonging to users under 15 and the mechanisms needed to verify ages for new registrations. Ines Legendre, a legal advisor for the online protection group e-Enfance, noted that practical application of the ban will require careful measures to identify and suspend underage users.

Statistics from France’s health watchdog indicate that about half of teenagers spend between two and five hours daily on smartphones. A December report found that approximately 90% of children aged 12 to 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet, with 58% engaging with social media. The report underscored risks linked to social media use, including diminished self-esteem and exposure to content associated with self-harm, drug use, and suicide.

The legislative process included negotiations with the European Commission to ensure compatibility with the EU-wide Digital Services Act, which enforces strict online safety rules. Following these talks, an amended version of the law was submitted for final parliamentary approval.

Beyond France, several countries have introduced or proposed measures to limit children’s access to social media. Australia implemented a similar law in 2024, barring children under 16 from social platforms and imposing significant fines on companies that fail to prevent underage accounts. Spain, Denmark, Greece, and the United Kingdom have also announced plans or are considering restrictions for young users.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has supported the move toward greater protections for children online, advocating for age limits on social media use and calling for the elimination of addictive features such as infinite scrolling. A special EU panel recently recommended prohibiting access to children under 13 unless platforms can demonstrate their safety. The European Commission is expected to propose a unified regulatory approach for member states in the near future.