French lawmakers approve a sweeping social media ban for children under 15

French lawmakers have approved a sweeping ban on social media use for children under 15, making France the first country in the European Union to adopt a blanket restriction of this kind, according to a monitored public feed from NPR News.

The move comes amid rising concern in many countries about the effects of digital platforms on young users, especially as debates intensify over the role of social media in children’s mental health, attention, and exposure to harmful content. Based on the feed summary, the French measure marks a significant step in Europe’s broader effort to regulate online environments for minors.

The approval adds France to a growing list of governments weighing stronger rules for tech platforms, but its approach stands out for the scope of the restriction. By setting a firm under-15 cutoff, lawmakers have chosen a policy that goes beyond age-based warnings or parental controls and instead imposes a general ban on platform access for that age group.

The decision reflects wider international pressure on social media companies as lawmakers and regulators seek to address concerns about how children use digital services. The feed summary does not provide details on how the ban would be enforced, whether exceptions may apply, or when the policy would take effect. It also does not specify which platforms would be covered under the law.

France’s action is likely to add momentum to similar debates across the European Union, where governments have been exploring how to balance online access with child protection. As concerns grow over the impact of digital content on kids, the French vote may become a reference point for other countries considering tougher limits.

This report is based on a monitored public feed and attributes the development to NPR News.

Source: NPR News - https://www.npr.org/2026/07/22/g-s1-134875/france-social-media-ban