The new law, hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as a “major step forward”, will require platforms to prevent under-15s from opening accounts from September and to delete existing accounts from January. It also includes a ban on mobile phone use in high schools.

“France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers,” Mr Macron said in a video posted after both houses of parliament approved the bill.
The legislation follows Australia’s ban on social media platforms including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat for under-16s, although recent research found that around eight in 10 Australians aged 12 to 17 continued to use the services.

Macron accelerated plans for the ban following a report by France’s National Health Safety Agency, which concluded that social media was damaging teenagers’ sleep and self-esteem, contributing to anxiety, depression and cyberbullying.

Digital minister Anne Le Hénanff said the timetable was achievable because age verification technology was already available.

“For four months, all of us in France will have to prove our age,” she said. “If someone is under 15, the account will be closed.”

The report followed several high-profile teenage suicides linked to online bullying, including those of 13-year-old Lindsay in 2023 and 16-year-old Marie in 2021.

The legislation, introduced by centrist MP Laure Miller, provides exemptions for educational websites, online encyclopaedias such as Wikipedia and limited access to services including YouTube and messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Teenagers will still be able to watch videos and use one-to-one messaging but will be blocked from algorithm-driven social media content.

Critics argue the law remains vague because it does not specify how platforms should verify users’ ages. A constitutional review is also expected, which could delay implementation.

Questions have also been raised over enforcement. While lawmakers initially proposed substantial fines for companies that fail to comply, legal experts say any financial penalties may ultimately have to be determined by the European Commission under EU law.