France to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15 in 2026
The Spin
Techno-skeptic narrative
Calls to restrict social media are strikingly popular in France, spanning left and right and backed by politicians and teenagers alike, with youth groups loudly urging age limits to curb the harm they've experienced personally. An under-15 ban would reduce exposure to predation, harassment and harmful algorithms, helping address youth mental health crises while cutting the risk of sexual violence online.
Techno-optimist narrative
While the pro-ban movement has certainly grown and may win the day, there are alternative ways to protect children without criminalizing youth social media use. Many EU states favor parental consent, education and enforcing existing laws, allowing families and cultures to set limits. These approaches can reduce harm while preserving teens' access to online communities and support.
Cynical narrative
Using Australia as a guide, these teenager social media bans look less like child protection and more like speech control. Canberra's under-16 ban overrides parental choice, mandates age verification for everyone and risks surveillance creep. By cutting teens off from political debate, minority communities and alternative viewpoints, these measures curb youth expression rather than targeting platform harms directly.
