France intends to follow Australia and ban social media platforms for children from the start of the 2026 academic year. A draft bill preventing under-15s from using social media will be submitted for legal checks and is expected to be debated in parliament early in the new year. The government wants the social media ban to come into force from September 2026. Earlier this month, Macron confirmed at a public debate in Saint Malo that he wanted a social media ban for young teenagers. The social media ban is part of Macron’s attempt to shape his legacy as he enters his difficult final year as president with a divided parliament.

Source: Irish Examiner December 31, 2025 16:36 UTC