No Social Media Below 15: France Passes Landmark Law to Protect Minors from Online Harm

On 26-1-2026, the National Assembly of France adopted the bill aimed at protecting minors from the risks to which they are exposed by the use of social networks. The proposed framework restricts social media use for minors under 15 and establishes firmer controls on the digital environment shaping young lives.

Background:

In September 2025, the French health authorities and parliamentary committees intensified warnings about the growing dangers of early and excessive exposure to social networks. Their findings highlighted escalating mental-health impacts linked to addictive design features and algorithm-driven content feeds that particularly affect minors.

The inquiry revealed that platforms, particularly TikTok, heavily expose young users to harmful content through poor moderation and addictive algorithms. The Commission leading the inquiry ultimately issued 43 recommendations, including 10 that required new legislation, underscoring the need for an urgent regulatory response.

Responding to these concerns, this proposed law was introduced by Laure Miller¹. Its objective is to “protect minors from the risks to which social networks expose them”, with emphasis on preventing exposure to inappropriate content, mitigating the impact of algorithmic addiction loops, and safeguarding the mental health of children and adolescents.

Filed on 18-11-2025, the bill was immediately referred to the Commission des affaires culturelles et de l’éducation for in-depth examination.²

To accelerate adoption, the French government triggered an accelerated procedure on 23-1-2026. The Commission reviewed, amended, and finalized the text, publishing its report on 14-1-2026, clearing the path for National Assembly approval shortly afterward.

By anchoring the reform within broader European digital governance principles, the legislation reflects France’s intention to remain a leader in youth online protection across the European Union.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Bill explicitly proposes to prohibit minors below age 15 from accessing social media platforms, framing it as a public-health necessity.

2. Article 1 establishes a total ban on access to social networks for children younger than 15 years.

3. This prohibition applies to platforms legally defined as “services of online social networking”, including networks whose content or algorithms are considered harmful to the psychological or emotional well-being of minors.

4. A two-tier restriction system is created:

   • Under 15: complete prohibition of access to social networks and video-sharing platforms deemed dangerous.

   • Ages 15—18: introduction of time-based restrictions, regulating usage hours to limit the psychological and behavioural risks associated with prolonged exposure.

5. The time-based restrictions are recommended by parliamentary inquiry/commission. They aim to limit daily exposure which is necessary to mitigate algorithm-driven harms and mental-health risks for adolescents.

6. Platforms will be required to implement effective age verification mechanisms to enforce the new requirements. This includes verification for both:

   • new accounts

   • existing accounts which must comply according to a phased implementation schedule.

7. To preserve access to essential information resources, the law explicitly exempts:

   • online encyclopaedias,

   • scientific or educational digital directories, and

   • private messaging services such as WhatsApp

8. These exempted services are treated as distinct from general social networks because they are not designed around public postings, algorithmic feeds, or social-comparison dynamics.

9. The framework is designed to be compatible with EU digital regulations (like Digital Services Act), ensuring that the French provisions can be enforced without conflicting with European law and avoiding the pitfalls that undermined earlier national attempts.

10. Overall, the legislation represents one of France’s most assertive steps in regulating the digital environments of minors.

11. It establishes a regulatory structure based on:

    • strict age thresholds,

    • mandatory verification, and

    • targeted usage limits,

12. The law aims to limit minors’ exposure to harmful content, curb the impact of addictive algorithmic features, and foster a digital environment that prioritizes children’s well-being over commercial interests.