Overview
- The National Assembly approved the bill in its first reading and sent it to the Senate under an expedited timetable aiming for 1 September 2026.
- The measure would bar under‑15s from many social networks, with the exact platforms to be designated by authorities, while online encyclopedias, educational or scientific directories, and private messengers are excluded.
- Lawmakers removed an earlier parental‑consent carve‑out, turning the proposal into a blanket prohibition for the age group.
- Effective enforcement hinges on reliable age‑verification tools that meet EU privacy and legal requirements, which are still being developed at the European level.
- The package also extends existing school mobile‑phone bans to upper secondary schools, and France’s move is being watched across Europe following Australia’s recent under‑16 restrictions.