France social media ban for under-15s

A reconciliation committee of the French parliament agreed on a bill on July 20, 2026, to ban access to social media for those under 15 years of age. President Emmanuel Macron has urged enforcement by September 2026. The bill also bans smartphone use in high schools. France follows Australia's under-16 ban enacted in December 2025. International — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has supported similar measures across the EU. The reconciled text will be debated in the National Assembly and Senate. Social media platforms must implement age verification approved by the French privacy regulator (CNIL). The ban applies to platforms like ByteDance — TikTok Shop, Instagram, Snap Inc., Google — YouTube, and Meta Platforms. Exceptions exist for educational sites. The law is seen as Macron's last major domestic reform before stepping down in 2027.