French lawmakers are poised to approve a bill restricting social media access for children under 15, making France a European leader in online child protection. A compromise between the upper and lower houses on Monday paves the way for a vote, expected to pass.

Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff stated, "Tomorrow, France will become the first country in Europe to introduce a digital age limit to better protect our children online." President Emmanuel Macron champions the law, slated for enforcement by September, alongside a mobile phone ban in secondary schools. The social media restriction will be phased: new accounts for under-15s will be blocked from September 1, with existing accounts banned from January 2027.

This move follows warnings about social media's detrimental effects on adolescents, with a public health watchdog reporting that one in two teenagers spends two to five hours daily on smartphones. The report also highlighted risks like reduced self-esteem and exposure to harmful content. Exceptions will be made for educational platforms.