France and Global Allies Move to Ban Youth Social Media
France, the UK, and other nations are implementing or considering social media bans for children under 15 or 16 to combat mental health risks and algorithmic manipulation.
A global movement to restrict youth social media access has accelerated, led by Emmanuel Macron and following a precedent set by Australia in December 2025. On January 26, 2026, the French National Assembly passed a bill banning children under 15 from social media and prohibiting mobile phones in high schools. Macron requested a fast-track procedure through the Senate to ensure the law is active by September 1, the start of the next academic year. He argued that children's brains and emotions must not be manipulated by "American platforms" or "Chinese algorithms."
Similar efforts are emerging worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the House of Lords backed an amendment to ban users under 16, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that "no option is off the table." Malaysia is implementing restrictions under the Online Safety Act 2025, with enforcement expected by July 2026. India's state governments in Andhra Pradesh and Goa are also studying the Australian model to protect adolescent mental health. Egypt has begun drafting legislation to end "digital chaos" affecting its youth.
At the supranational level, the European Commission is considering a bloc-wide minimum age limit and is testing an age-verification app across five member states for a 2026 rollout. While proponents cite a health emergency and the need to protect children from cyberbullying, critics argue that bans address symptoms rather than root causes and may drive minors toward unregulated platforms or the use of VPNs to bypass controls.
