France becomes first EU country to ban social media for under-15s

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2 days · 4 summary articles
France's parliament has approved a bill prohibiting social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to implement such a ban. The new rules are set to come into force immediately after the summer holidays.
The ban was approved on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, according to reports from Mediafaro and Politico. The law, passed at the behest of President Emmanuel Macron, goes against the EU's advised features-based restriction, implementing a blanket ban for users aged under 15.
France has become the first EU country to introduce a social media ban for under-15s. The new rules are due to come into force immediately after the summer holidays, provoking a barrage of criticism in the commentary sections.
The move has sparked a debate about the effectiveness and appropriateness of the ban. According to a report by Eurotopics, the ban has provoked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a necessary measure to protect children, while others view it as an overreach of government authority.
President Emmanuel Macron has secured a signature second-term victory with the passage of this law. The new rules are due to come into force immediately after the summer holidays, according to a report by Politico.
The law is expected to be implemented in the coming months.
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