France has become the first European Union member to approve a blanket restriction on social media access for minors, with parliament passing a bill that blocks children under 15 from using platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. President Emmanuel Macron, who has championed the ban as a signature initiative of his second term, hailed the vote as “a major step forward” and wants the law in effect before the upcoming school year. Main Developments Lawmakers in both chambers of France's parliament voted on Tuesday in support of the legislation, which also bans students from using mobile phones in schools. The measure will make France the first country in the European Union to approve a blanket ban on social media, as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids. The ban is expected to be rolled out in two stages. From September 1, children under 15 will be blocked from creating new accounts. Existing accounts will be subject to the ban from January 2027, according to the legislation. “If someone is under 15, the account will be closed,” said Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff, adding that users’ personal data would be protected. Read also: 3 ways US funding cuts are devastating global HIV treatment efforts The ban will not cover access to online encyclopaedias, educational or scientific directories. President Macron has pushed for the ban to come into effect by September, ahead of the new school year, but a review to determine whether it complies with the French constitution could delay its implementation. “The Constitutional Council must now rule on it, and then it will be time to take action to make this measure a reality and protect our children online,” said Macron in a video posted on social media. Background France's public health watchdog last year said platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram were harmful to adolescents, particularly girls, though it was not the sole reason for their declining mental health. Several families in France have sued TikTok over teen suicides they say are linked to harmful content. A growing number of countries are taking steps to restrict social media access amid multiplying warnings over its harmful effects on children. Lawmakers from the left-wing party France Unbowed opposed the bill, arguing that its constitutionality is unclear, that it would effectively end online anonymity, and that it would be impossible to enforce. But children’s advocates and parents largely applauded the vote. “We’ve been campaigning for this bill from the start because, frankly, we have no other option, no other way to counter tech giants,” said Gaelle Berbonde, a 52-year-old who lives in the Paris region. “The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect our children from drinking alcohol.” Why It Matters France's move sets a precedent within the European Union, where no blanket social media ban for minors has been approved before. The law reflects a growing global push to regulate tech platforms over their impact on young users, particularly concerning mental health and exposure to harmful content. If implemented, the ban could influence other EU nations considering similar measures, though questions about enforceability and constitutional compliance remain. What's Next The French Constitutional Council must now rule on whether the law complies with the constitution, a process that could delay implementation. If approved, the first phase of the ban—blocking new accounts for under-15s—is slated to take effect on September 1, with existing accounts to be closed by January 2027. Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff has stated that users' personal data will be protected during the process.