EU Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-13s, Stricter Rules for Teens

In early 2026, France passed a law banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. The aim was to protect young people from online risks and harmful content. However, the French Constitutional Council soon reviewed the law after concerns were raised about its impact on fundamental rights.

The Council found that the law, as written, imposed excessive restrictions on adolescents' freedom of expression. At the same time, the Council acknowledged the legitimate need to protect children's interests online. This decision forced the French government to reconsider its approach.

On August 9, 2026, France's Constitutional Council officially struck down the original law, citing unnecessary infringements on children's freedom of expression. The government quickly promised to revise the proposal to address these constitutional issues.

By mid-September, President Emmanuel Macron announced that a new version of the law was ready. The updated proposal aimed to balance the need to protect minors with the requirement to respect their rights. Instead of immediately enacting the new law, France submitted it to the European Commission for review.

Macron also called on the European Union to move quickly and introduce similar protections across all member states. This push for coordinated action reflects growing concern about social media's impact on children throughout Europe.

Meanwhile, the European Commission prepared its own response. It is set to unveil the EU Kids Act, a package of rules designed to improve online safety for children, including possible restrictions on social media and AI chatbots for those under 15.

France's revised proposal is now in the hands of the European Commission, awaiting review and possible approval. The French government hopes the new version will avoid the legal pitfalls that blocked the first attempt, while still offering strong protections for minors.

The European Commission is also preparing to present its own legislation on child online safety, which may set the standard for all EU countries. The coming weeks will be critical as both national and EU-level measures are discussed and refined.

Attention now turns to Brussels, where the European Commission will review France's proposal and present the EU Kids Act. Key details, such as the exact age limits and how any ban would be enforced, remain undecided. The outcome will shape how children across Europe use social media in the near future.