French lawmakers have passed a landmark bill that prohibits children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms.

The legislation, which was approved by the National Assembly in a 130–21 vote following a session that spanned from Monday to Thursday, is part of a broader government initiative to protect minors from excessive screen time and detrimental online influences.

President Emmanuel Macron, a primary supporter of the measure, praised the decision on social media, describing it as a “major step” toward safeguarding French children.

In a video broadcast released on Saturday, the President emphasised the need to protect the psychological well-being of the youth from commercial and technological interests.

“The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, either by American platforms or Chinese algorithms,” Macron stated.

The bill also includes provisions to ban mobile phone usage in high schools, extending existing 2018 regulations that already prohibit phones in “colleges,” the schools attended by students between the ages of 11 and 15.

These measures address growing concerns regarding the impact of digital exposure on mental health, including risks of cyberbullying and exposure to violent content.

France’s public health watchdog, ANSES, recently noted that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram have had significant detrimental effects on adolescents, particularly girls.

Gabriel Attal, the former Prime Minister and current leader of the Renaissance party in the lower house, outlined the intended timeline for the law’s implementation.

“I had hoped the Senate would pass the bill by mid-February so that the ban could come into force on 1 September, social media platforms will then have until 31 December to deactivate existing accounts that do not comply with the proposed age limit,” Attal said.

He added that the move would position the country as a leader in digital sovereignty, stating, “France can be a pioneer in Europe in a month: we can change the lives of our young people and our families, and perhaps also change the destiny of our country in terms of independence.”

For the ban to become fully operational, an effective age verification system must be established, with development currently underway at the European Union level.

If the bill receives final approval from the Senate, France will become the second nation to implement such a restriction, following Australia’s ban for those under the age of 16 enacted in December.