France and EU move to restrict social media access for minors

On September 14, 2026, the French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, submitted a revised legislative proposal to the European Commission aimed at banning social media access for children under 15. This action follows a rejection of the original bill by France's Constitutional Council in mid-August, which ruled that the initial measure disproportionately restricted freedom of expression. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was tasked with drafting a compliant version that meets both domestic constitutional standards and European Union legal requirements.

Simultaneously, the European Union is intensifying its own regulatory efforts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a proposal to ban social media use for children under 13, while requiring parental consent and imposing a one-hour daily usage limit for those aged 13 to 15. The policy places the burden of proof on technology companies to ensure their services are safe. Meanwhile, the European Parliament is set to vote on a report addressing the negative impact of algorithmic design on youth mental health, signaling a broader legislative push to reclaim control from major technology platforms across all member states.