Macron says social media has encouraged violence among young people
Le Monde says he could announce new measures in New Year’s Eve address
Mobile phones are banned in French primary, middle schools since 2018
Reported changes would include extending mobile phone ban to high schools
By Louise Rasmussen
PARIS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - France plans to ban children under 15 from social media sites and to prohibit mobile phones in high schools from September 2026, local media reported on Wednesday, moves that underscore rising public angst over the impact of online harms on minors. President Emmanuel Macron has often pointed to social media as one of the factors to blame for violence among young people and has signalled he wants France to follow Australia, whose world-first ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook (META.O) , Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube (GOOGL.O) came into force in December.
Le Monde newspaper said Macron could announce the measures in his New Year’s Eve national address, due to be broadcast at 1900 GMT. His government will submit draft legislation for legal checks in early January, Le Monde and France Info reported.
The Elysee and the prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.
Mobile phones have been banned in French primary and middle schools since 2018 and the reported new changes would extend that ban to high schools. Pupils aged 11 to 15 attend middle schools in the French educational system.
France also passed a law in 2023 requiring social platforms to obtain parental consent for under-15s to create accounts, though technical challenges have impeded its enforcement.
MACRON WANTS MORE ACTION AT EUROPEAN UNION LEVEL Macron said in June he would push for regulation at the level of the European Union to ban access to social media for all under-15s after a fatal stabbing at a school in eastern France shocked the nation. The European Parliament in November urged the EU to set minimum ages for children to access social media to combat a rise in mental health problems among adolescents from excessive exposure, although it is member states which impose age limits. Various other countries have also taken steps to regulate children’s access to social media.
Macron heads into the New Year with his domestic legacy in tatters after his gamble on parliamentary elections in 2024 led to a hung parliament, triggering France’s worst political crisis in decades that has seen a succession of weak governments.
However, cracking down further on minors’ access to social media could prove popular, according to opinion polls. A Harris Interactive survey in 2024 showed 73% of those canvassed supporting a ban on social media access for under-15s.

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France plans to ban children under 15 from social media and prohibit mobile phones in high schools starting September 2026, amid concerns over online harms to minors. President Macron has linked social media to youth violence and aims to follow Australia's lead in regulating access. The government will submit draft legislation in early January, and Macron may announce these measures in his New Year’s Eve address. A recent survey indicates strong public support for the ban, with 73% in favor.

- France plans to ban children under 15 from social media and prohibit mobile phones in high schools starting September 2026, amid concerns over online harm to minors.  
- President Emmanuel Macron attributes rising youth violence to social media and aims for France to adopt similar regulations as Australia, with possible announcements in his New Year’s Eve address.  
- The new measures follow existing mobile phone bans in primary and middle schools since 2018 and a recent law requiring parental consent for under-15s on social platforms.

France aims to ban under-15s from social media from September 2026, Le Monde reports