Paris: France in January will examine a bill aiming to ban social media for under-15s and cellphones in high schools, broadcaster Franceinfo reported Wednesday. The French Council of State will review the bill on January 8 with the goal of prohibiting access to social media for young people under the age of 15 and banning cellphone use in high schools starting in September 2026.
According to Anadolu Agency, government sources indicate that the bill has been crafted to ensure compliance with European law, addressing shortcomings of a previous attempt that did not meet legal requirements. In November, President Emmanuel Macron expressed his intention to extend the existing cellphone ban to high schools beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and to enforce a social media prohibition for those under 15 or 16.
The current cellphone ban, in effect since 2018, covers nursery through middle school but has faced enforcement challenges. Numerous academic studies have highlighted the mental health risks associated with social media use among young individuals and the potential for distraction caused by cellphones in teens.