STORY: France's National Assembly on Monday (January 26) backed legislation to ban children under 15 years old from social media, amid growing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks.

The bill proposes banning under-15s from social networks and "social networking functionalities" embedded within broader platforms, and reflects rising public angst over the impact of social media on minors.

Lawmakers voted 116 to 23 in favour of the bill. It now passes to the Senate before a final vote in the lower house.

President Emmanuel Macron has pointed to social media as one factor to blame for violence among young people. He is urging France to follow Australia, whose world-first ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came into force in December.

Macron wants the ban in place in time for the start of the next academic year in September.

Australia's social media ban is being studied in countries including Britain, Denmark, Spain and Greece.

The European Parliament has called for the European Union to set minimum ages for children to access social media, although it is up to member states to impose age limits.

There is broad political and public support in France for curbing minors' access to social media.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: FRENCH LAWMAKERS VOTING BILL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR MINORS UNDER 15 / POST ON X BY FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, WELCOMING RESULT

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: SOUNDBITES OF LAWMAKERS CAN BE FOUND IN EDIT 0007-FRANCE-SOCIALMEDIA/ AND REACTIONS OF PARISIAN YOUTH AND SHOTS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS CAN BE FOUND IN EDIT 0048-FRANCE-SOCIALMEDIA/YOUTH

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY 26, 2026) (FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (French) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VICE-PRESIDENT, HELENE LAPORTE, SAYING (PARTLY OVERLAID WITH SHOTS OF LAWMAKERS VOTING AND GRAPHICS OF VOTE RESULT):

"We will now proceed to the vote. Please return to your seats, and I will now put the entire bill to a vote. The vote is open... The vote is closed... Here are the results: 157 votes cast, 151 valid votes, majority 76, in favour 130, against 21 abstentions. The National Assembly has adopted the text."

2. LAWMAKERS LEAVING CHAMBER

3. (SOUNDBITE) (French) JUNIOR MINISTER FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL, ANNE LE HENANFF, SAYING:

"As announced by the President (Emmanuel Macron), there will indeed be an expedited procedure, meaning that, during government time the text will reach the Senate in the coming weeks, and therefore it will be applicable from the start of the new school year in September 2026."

4. LAWMAKERS LEAVING CHAMBER (MUTE)

INTERNET (JANUARY 27, 2026) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - Access all) (MUTE)

5. POST ON X BY FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, READING (French): "Banning social media for those under 15: that's what scientists recommend, and that's what the French people overwhelmingly demand. After fruitful work with the Government, the National Assembly has just given its approval. This is a major step. It's now up to the Senate to continue this constructive work. To ensure this ban takes effect as soon as the next school year begins, I have asked the Government to expedite the process."

6. SECOND PART OF POST ON X BY FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, READING (French): "Because our children's brains are not for sale. Not to American platforms, nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams cannot be dictated by algorithms. Because we don't want an anxious generation, but a generation that believes in France, the Republic, and its values. France, a pioneer in platform regulation since 2018, continues to lead the way today, becoming the first country in Europe to commit to this path. On September 1, our children and teenagers will finally be protected. I will ensure it."