• 2 min read
France joins a fast-growing social media ban wave
France has passed a social media ban for under-15s, joining Australia, the U.K., and others pushing age-based restrictions.
Image: TechCrunch
France has become the latest country to move ahead with a social media ban for children, passing a law on July 21 that blocks access for anyone under 15. The measure could take effect as soon as September 1, adding France to a growing list of governments trying to curb risks tied to social platforms, from cyberbullying and addiction to mental health issues and exposure to predators.
The push began to accelerate after Australia became the first country to implement such a ban in December 2025. Australia’s law covers children under 16 and applies to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, but not WhatsApp or YouTube Kids. Platforms that fail to comply can face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).
Other countries are at different stages:
- Austria plans a ban for children up to 14, with draft legislation expected by June.
- Canada introduced a bill in early June to ban social media for children under 16, though companies could avoid the ban if they prove they protect young users.
- Denmark is pursuing a ban for children under 15, with plans that could become law by mid-2026, according to the Associated Press.
- Germany has discussed barring children under 16, though support inside the coalition appears mixed, Reuters reported.
- Greece says its ban for children under 15 will start in January 2027.
- Indonesia says it will ban children under 16 from social media and other online platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
- Malaysia said in November 2025 that it plans a ban for children under 16 this year.
- Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey are also drafting or advancing restrictions, generally aimed at users under 15 or 16.
- The U.K. plans a ban for children under 16, announced by Keir Starmer on June 15, with a target of spring 2027.
France’s new law also extends a cellphone ban to high schools, after similar restrictions in primary and middle schools.
Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue these bans are ineffective and raise privacy concerns because of potentially invasive age verification. Even so, more countries are pressing ahead, making social media age limits one of the fastest-spreading internet policy moves of 2026.
Recommended reading
NWSL’s YouTube surge shows how new fans are finding the league
Culture Editor
Maya explores gaming, streaming, and the internet as a place where people actually live. From deep-dives into creator economies to the anthropology of digital communities, she tracks platform drama and cultural shifts so you don't have to. She believes the best tech stories are fundamentally about human behavior.
via TechCrunch
