Bill PASSED – Lawmakers BAN Social Media for Teens

French lawmakers just slammed the door on social media for kids under 15, igniting a global firestorm over protecting young minds from addictive algorithms.

Story Snapshot

National Assembly passes bill 130-21 on January 26-27, 2026, banning under-15s from social media nationwide.
President Macron champions it as defense against American and Chinese tech giants manipulating children.
Enforcement targets September 2026, with platforms forced to deactivate non-compliant accounts by year’s end.
Follows Australia’s under-16 ban; France sets lower threshold, excludes educational sites.
Backed by health data linking heavy screen time to suicide risks and self-harm in teens.

National Assembly Delivers Overwhelming Victory

France’s National Assembly voted 130-21 late on January 26, 2026, approving a bill that prohibits minors under 15 from accessing social media platforms. The measure mandates strict age verification. Platforms must deactivate accounts of non-compliant users. President Emmanuel Macron pushed for this fast-track legislation. It pairs with a high school mobile phone ban, aiming for school-year implementation in September 2026. This nationwide restriction surpasses prior school-only rules from 2018.

Macron Positions Bill as Sovereignty Shield

Emmanuel Macron declared, “Our children’s brains are not for sale — neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.” He broadcast support days before the vote. Facing political weakness after parliament dissolution, Macron unites lawmakers on child protection. The bill aligns with EU Digital Services Act requirements. It excludes encyclopedias, educational sites, and open-source platforms, focusing solely on addictive social networks.

Health Crisis Fuels Urgent Action

A December 2025 health watchdog report exposed stark risks. Ninety percent of 12-17-year-olds use smartphones daily, with 58% on social media for 2-5 hours. This correlates with plummeting self-esteem, self-harm, drug use, and suicides. Recent French lawsuits against TikTok over teen deaths amplified calls for reform. EU lawmakers urged bloc-wide protections in November 2025. Australia’s December 2025 under-16 ban, revoking 4.7 million accounts, proved feasibility despite privacy debates.

Senate Debate Looms with Fast-Track Pressure

The bill now advances to the French Senate in coming weeks. Macron requests expedited review for September 1, 2026, enforcement in schools. Platforms face deadlines: deactivate under-15 accounts by December 31, 2026. Uncertainties persist on exact verification methods and Senate outcome. Hard-left critics decry it as liberty infringement and digital paternalism. Supporters counter with evidence-based necessity, prioritizing mental health over unrestricted access.

🇫🇷 French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
➡️ https://t.co/OxaTr7DGLS pic.twitter.com/CmKb4QHr23

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 27, 2026

From an American conservative lens, Macron’s stance resonates with common-sense parental authority. Facts align: screen addiction ravages youth, as data shows. Platforms, unaccountable profit machines, resist burdens that curb their influence. This ban restores sovereignty, shielding kids from manipulation—values echoing protection of family and nation over corporate overreach. Australia’s success validates enforcement without societal collapse.

Global Ripples and Lasting Stakes

Short-term, expect mass deactivations and compliance battles, mirroring Australia’s model. Long-term, France pioneers Europe-wide precedents, pressuring platforms under EU rules. UK considers similar bans post-vote. Families gain mental health wins but face connectivity trade-offs. Tech firms incur costs for age checks, shifting industry toward responsibility. Macron eyes this as legacy before 2027, leveraging rare cross-party unity.