France to Ban Social Media for Under-15s and Prohibit Phones in High Schools

France is set to implement a ban on social media access for children under 15 and prohibit mobile phones in high schools starting September 2026, according to local media reports. The move highlights growing public concern over the harmful effects of online platforms on minors. President Emmanuel Macron has frequently cited social media as a contributing factor to youth violence and aims to follow Australia's lead, which implemented a world-first ban on social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for users under 16 earlier this year. The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in early January, with Macron potentially announcing the measures in his New Year's Eve address. Mobile phones have been banned in French primary and middle schools since 2018, and the new policy would extend this restriction to high schools. France previously introduced a law in 2023 requiring parental consent for social media accounts for users under 15, but enforcement has faced technical challenges. Macron has also called for EU-level regulations to restrict social media access for minors, emphasizing the need for collective action to address digital harms.