France’s National Assembly passed a bill banning social media for children under 15 without parental consent, aiming for September implementation.
Presidential Backing and Legislative Path
President Emmanuel Macron commented on the bill’s adoption by the National Assembly, stating, “The brains of our children are not for sale. Not to American or Chinese platforms.” The bill still requires Senate approval, but Macron has promised an accelerated process to enforce it by September 1st, coinciding with the new school year.
Scope and Regulatory Mechanism
The bill prohibits social media use for children under 15 unless parents explicitly consent. It does not specify which platforms are covered; this decision rests with the audiovisual regulator ARCOM. Laure Miller, the bill’s initiator from Macron’s party, indicated the regulations would mirror Australia’s 2025 rules targeting addictive apps like infinite scroll, affecting platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X. Educational platforms and messengers like Discord, Messenger, and WhatsApp would remain accessible.
