The majority of senators in France have supported a bill to restrict social media for children and teenagers under 15 years over concerns that unfettered access to media could impact their cognitive development and rob them of the joys of childhood.

The bill still needs the approval from the lower parliament to become law as President Emmanuel Macron, the bill promoter,  wants the ban to take effect September 1. 

From September, under 15 will not be allowed to open accounts on social.media while the social media platforms will spend the next four months closing existing accounts of minors. 

This ban will place France as the first country in Europe to adopt such a law months after Australia implemented a similar law for under-16s in December 2025.

“Digital majority: France leads the way,” said Anne Le Hénanff, France’s minister for artificial intelligence and digital affairs. “France will be the first country in Europe to establish a digital majority.”

“We left ​you in ⁠this jungle and it robbed you of your attention,” Mr Macron told teenagers in April. “We need ⁠to slow ​down and help you become adults, and above ​all citizens.”

“That’s why what we want to do is say that before 15 years old, no ​more social media,” he said at the April event.