France just became the first country in the European Union to ban TikTok, Snapchat, and other social media platforms for children under 15.
On Tuesday, both chambers of France’s Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. The National Assembly voted 279-81. The Senate voted 243-2.
The measure prohibits minors under 15 from accessing social media platforms when they are “likely to harm their physical, mental or moral development.”
“I had committed to it, and now it’s been voted on: social media will be banned for those under 15 starting back-to-school,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X Tuesday.
Je m’y étais engagé, c’est désormais voté : les réseaux sociaux seront interdits aux moins de 15 ans à la rentrée. Merci aux parlementaires. Au Conseil constitutionnel de statuer puis place à l’action pour rendre cette mesure concrète et protéger nos enfants en ligne. pic.twitter.com/jC79unxX67
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 21, 2026
In his X post, Macron included a two-minute video with multiple disturbing clips of social media posts from minors — some depicting suicidal ideation and eating disorder content.
Several families in France have sued TikTok over teen suicides they believe are linked to harmful content pushed by the platform.
“France is leading the way in Europe in protecting our children and our teenagers,” Macron said. “We will keep on going.”
Anne Le Hénanff, France’s digital minister, said age-verification tools already exist and more are being developed, making the ban realistic to implement.
“For four months, all of us in France will have to prove our age,” she told journalists. “If someone is under 15, the account will be closed.”
The bill includes exemptions for educational materials — online encyclopedias, educational or scientific directories, platforms for open-source software development, and open-source digital projects for educational purposes.
The measure will also amend France’s penal code and education code to integrate awareness and prevention programs about the harmful effects and addictive nature of social networks among young students.
France’s move comes as several other Western countries mull restrictions on social media access for minors. Australia banned access for children under 16 in November. Indonesia followed suit in March.
The bill now heads to France’s Constitutional Council for final review before taking effect at the start of the school year.
