France becomes first EU state to ban teen social media

French lawmakers have voted to ban children under 15 from using social media, making France the first EU country to approve a blanket prohibition. Both chambers of Parliament passed the measure on Tuesday, marking a flagship initiative of President Emmanuel Macron’s second term before he leaves office next year. The legislation also restricts mobile phone use in high schools, with Macron aiming for the law to take effect by September.

Implementation remains uncertain. The legislation is expected to face a constitutional review in France, a process that could delay its enforcement beyond the start of the next school year.

For tech companies and investors, the vote marks a pivotal shift in how European governments regulate digital platforms. Rather than relying on existing age-gating tools, algorithmic transparency requirements, or the recently implemented Digital Services Act, France is imposing an outright access ban. This creates a fragmented compliance environment across the EU single market, forcing platforms to build distinct onboarding processes for individual member states rather than relying on a unified European rulebook.

The French legislation also sets up a direct policy clash with the European Commission. Earlier this month, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for "phased and gradual access for different age ranges" to digital platforms, avoiding a blanket ban.

Under the Commission’s expected framework, toddlers would face a complete screen ban. Children under 13 would receive time-limited, supervised access, while teenagers aged 13 and older would gain gradual entry if platforms can prove their environments are safe and age-appropriate. The Commission plans to present a formal proposal on the matter after summer.

French opposition figures have echoed the Commission’s preference for targeted regulation over outright bans. "Do we decide to impose a blunt, blanket ban on all social media for minors, or do we instead decide – as the European Commission is actually advocating – to ban only the harmful features of social media? We’re more aligned with the latter position", socialist MP Arthur Delaporte said. His party abstained from the vote, while the far-left France Unbowed opposed it.

Despite the divergence from Brussels, France is part of a growing national movement within the bloc that threatens to complicate the operating environment for social media firms. Greece, Slovenia and Sweden are planning restrictions on minors' access. Spain is considering a ban for under-16s, and Austria is looking at under-14s. This national momentum suggests that even if the Commission pursues a lighter-touch approach later this year, tech firms will still face strict user-acquisition limits in several major European markets.