France to ban social media for children under 15

French lawmakers are set to vote on a bill on July 21 that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social‑media platforms. The proposed legislation would extend France’s regulatory reach to the same services that are already restricted in Australia, where a ban on users under 16 for Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube took effect in December.

The French measure follows growing concerns about the mental‑health and safety implications of early exposure to online content. By aligning with Australia’s precedent, the bill aims to curb the influence of social media on minors while providing a legal framework for parental control and platform compliance.

If passed, France would become the second country after Australia to impose a statutory age limit on social‑media use, signalling a broader international trend toward stricter protection of young users in the digital age.