The French government is preparing to implement unprecedented regulations in the digital sphere, intending to impose a complete ban on access to social media networks for minors under the age of fifteen, coinciding with the start of the 2026 school year. This initiative is part of a draft law expected to be presented to the French parliament soon, reflecting Paris's desire to curb the negative consequences of teenagers' early and excessive immersion in the virtual world.
The new draft law rests on two key articles. The first strictly prohibits providing social media services via digital platforms to any minor under the age of fifteen, effective September 1, 2026. This step is not arbitrary; rather, the government bases its decision on a wealth of reports and scientific studies that have warned of the "escalating risks" of excessive digital use, including exposure to inappropriate content, the rise of cyberbullying, and psychological and physiological disorders such as insomnia and sleep disturbances, which have become a source of concern for both families and educational institutions.
As part of strengthening the regulatory framework, the first chapter of the bill falls under the "Trust in the Digital Economy" (LCEN) law, which entrusts the French Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) with monitoring the implementation of this ban and ensuring platforms' compliance. The second article of the bill aims to address gaps in the education system by extending the ban on mobile phone use to secondary school students (lycées), complementing the measure implemented since 2018 that covered preschool and middle school levels, with the goal of restoring focus within the school environment.
French President Emmanuel Macron has placed this issue at the top of the government's priorities, confirming that parliamentary debate on the bill will begin at the start of January. In defending this legislative formulation, the Minister Delegate in charge of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization, Anne Le Ennave, explained that the law is concise and clear, and most importantly, it is "fully compliant with European legislation," particularly the European Digital Services Act (DSA), which gives it legal force to meet the challenges of cross-border digitization and protect the "mental sovereignty" of emerging generations.
