New Year Social Media Changes: Big changes are coming in the new year; France may also ban social media for children.

The French government is about to take a major step regarding the mental health and safety of teenagers. According to Reuters media reports, President Emmanuel Macron is planning to completely ban social media use for children under 15 years of age starting in September 2026.  The government is also preparing to ban the use of mobile phones in high schools.

France follows in Australia's footsteps.

This move by France is inspired by recent legislation in Australia. In December, Australia banned platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for children under 16 years of age. President Macron has previously blamed social media for the rising violence and screen addiction among young people.

Key points of the proposal

According to the proposal, children under 15 years of age will be prohibited from having social media accounts. France has already had a ban on phones in primary and middle schools since 2018, which will now be extended to high schools. The government may introduce a draft bill in this regard at the beginning of January. Macron wants this rule not to be limited to France alone, but to be implemented throughout the European Union for children under 15 years of age.

73% of French citizens support the decision

In 2023, France also enacted a law that made parental consent mandatory for children under 15 years of age, but it could not be implemented due to technical difficulties. However, despite political instability, the public seems to be in favor of this decision. According to a 2024 survey (Harris Interactive), 73% of French citizens support a social media ban for children under 15 years of age.

In his New Year's address, President Macron made it clear that his priority is "to protect children and teenagers from the dangers of screens and social media." If this law is implemented, it will set a major example globally in the direction of digital safety.