France's parliament has passed a law banning social media use for children under 15, making it the first European country to enact such a measure. President Emmanuel Macron declared that France is leading the way in Europe to protect children.
The National Assembly approved the reform by 279 votes to 81 on Tuesday, following earlier passage in the Senate. The legislation requires platforms to implement age verification systems approved by French privacy regulators. The ban on new accounts takes effect on September 1, with platforms given four months to close existing underage accounts.
France becomes the second country globally after Australia to adopt such legislation. Australia implemented a ban for under-16s in December 2025. The French law also extends a mobile phone ban to upper secondary schools, taking effect in September. Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hanenff said France would be the first European nation to set an age limit for internet use to shield children.