France has approved a new law that bans social media for children under 15 and also forbids mobile phones in high schools. The law will start in two steps: from 1 September 2026, children under 15 cannot create social media accounts, and from 1 January 2027, companies must delete existing accounts for these children. This makes France the first country in the European Union with a nationwide social media ban for young teenagers.

The French government made this law to protect children from online dangers, such as addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content. The law also expands the current phone ban from primary and middle schools to include high schools, so students cannot use their phones during the school day.

The main result is that social media companies must use new systems to check users’ ages and remove accounts for children under 15. Schools in France will also become phone-free areas for all students.