France is set to introduce a ban on social media usage for children under the age of 15, alongside new restrictions on cellphone use in high schools, starting next year. This development was reported by the local media outlet Le Monde on Tuesday.

The initiative seeks to address concerns about excessive screen time and to protect minors from online dangers, including exposure to inappropriate content. President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the role of social media in contributing to youth violence.

A draft law, as cited by Le Monde, emphasizes that numerous studies and reports now demonstrate the risks associated with adolescents’ excessive use of digital screens.

According to the report, the document further states that unrestricted online access has led children to encounter inappropriate content and face issues such as cyberbullying and disrupted sleep patterns.

President Emmanuel Macron’s plan aims to prohibit social media engagement among those under 15, reflecting his ongoing concerns about its impact on young people. (Photo by TERESA SUAREZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The proposal follows Australia’s lead after the country introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16 years old in December, restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Macron is aiming for Parliament to debate the proposal in January, with a potential start date of September next year, according to the local outlet.

In June, Macron said he wanted to push for similar regulations across the European Union (EU), following a fatal school stabbing in eastern France that shocked the nation in April, Reuters reported.

A 13-year-old girl is using her smartphone in a dark room. (iStock)

Macron has previously taken numerous steps to protect minors digitally. However, technical challenges, including EU legal constraints and weak enforcement, have limited the effectiveness of such measures. 

Cellphones have already been banned in French elementary and middle schools since 2018, according to Le Monde.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enacted a world-first social media ban in December, barring children under 16 from using major platforms. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In 2023, France reportedly attempted to pass a law calling for a “digital legal age,” which required parental consent for social media users under 15 years old. The law, however, was blocked by EU regulations.

In November, the European Parliament urged the EU to set minimum social media ages to tackle adolescent mental health issues, though final decisions rest with its member states, Reuters reported.