---
title: "France prepares for a 'digital quarantine': social networks to be banned for children under 15"
description: "France is ready to introduce a strict ban on social networks for children under 15 starting September 1. 🇫🇷 President Macron believes gadgets hinder children from growing up. Companies are now required to implement strict age verification. 📱🚫"
date: 2026-07-21T13:43:03.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/france-prepares-digital-quarantine-ban-social-networks-under-15
tags: [france, macron, social-media, australia, european-union]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# France prepares for a 'digital quarantine': social networks to be banned for children under 15

![Finger tapping on 'Social Media' folder on smartphone showing X, Instagram, and TikTok icons — illustrating France’s proposed ban on social media for children under 15](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/21/frantsiya-zapreshchaet-sotsseti-detyam-do-15-let/frantsiya-zapreshchaet-sotsseti-detyam-do-15-let-1.webp)

A serious debate is brewing in France regarding the digital future of the younger generation. The country is preparing to adopt a bill which, if approved, will make France one of the leaders in the strictness of restrictions on minors' access to online platforms. The initiative is driven by the growing concern of authorities and society regarding the impact of social networks on children's mental health and safety.

### Strict deadlines and new rules

The essence of the proposed law is simple and radical: starting September 1, the creation of social media accounts will be completely prohibited for children under the age of 15. Tech giants will be given an additional four months to close profiles created before the ban comes into force. To implement this requirement, platforms must introduce age verification systems that must receive approval from the French personal data protection regulator.

It is important to note that the ban is not total. It will not affect online encyclopedias and websites used for educational purposes, allowing access to knowledge in the digital environment to be preserved.

### Macron's political will

The bill has passed key stages of coordination: it was approved by the Senate and National Assembly committees on July 20 and put to a plenary vote on July 21. President Emmanuel Macron personally insists on the speedy adoption of the law before the start of the new school year.

Back in April, the head of state called on teenagers to reduce the time spent on their phones and read more. Macron is convinced that early immersion in social networks negatively affects children's concentration and development. At a meeting with high school students, he expressed his position as follows: "We left them alone in this forest, and it distracted them from their tasks. We need to slow down, help them grow up and, above all, become good citizens".

### Global trend and industry reaction

If the bill is adopted, France will follow the example of Australia, which was the first in the world to ban the use of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for children under the age of 16. Currently, many countries in Europe and other regions are considering the possibility of tightening control.

The reaction from technology companies is mixed. Platforms have long opposed blanket bans, arguing that they already have many tools to protect minors, including age restrictions and parental controls. However, industry representatives state that they will comply with government requirements if mandatory rules are introduced.

At the same time, the European Commission is developing its own rules for controlling the operation of digital platforms with the aim of strengthening the protection of young people. Brussels will also assess how well the French initiative complies with European Union legislation.