France will soon ban children under 15 from using the following social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. As social media plays an increasingly central role in life around the world, some governments have become wary of the impact these platforms can have on young people, leading to increased legislation against them. Now France appears to be joining the movement against groups like Facebook, which could call into question the future of online gaming in the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron has a history of pointing out that online platforms have the potential to negatively impact the country's youth. In 2023, Macron accused social media and video games of encouraging violence after riots began to sweep across France in response to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy. As these concerns grow about social sites, the president and other members of the French government may take a harder line against them, following Australia's example of a blanket ban on young users.
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On December 31, local French publications began reporting that Macron's government planned to submit a draft bill in early January to ban social media, which would take effect in September 2026. Similar to the social media ban that Australia passed in 2024, this law would make sites like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram completely inaccessible to young teenagers. However, the scope is slightly wider and applies to everyone under 15 years of age, rather than under 16 years of age. Macron has not officially announced any such legislation. However, he noted in his New Year's Eve speech that he wanted to “protect our children and young people from social media and screens,” which would be consistent with policies already enacted by the current French administration.
The reported ban would also expand restrictions on cellphones in the French school system. France has banned cellphone use in elementary and middle school classrooms since 2018, but the new law is believed to seek to impose the same restrictions on high schools. Additionally, France already requires social media platforms to obtain parental consent when creating accounts for users under 15, so a blanket ban would have existing legal grounds to expand on. But it is unclear how the country will enforce the ban and to what extent it will go forward. Gaming platforms such as Xbox Live and PlayStation Network have been spared Australia's ban, but it is unclear how such legislation will affect video games as the lines between social media and gaming blur.
Some gaming services seem like easy targets for a general social media ban. Banned in at least 9 countries roblox Although they often cite child abuse concerns for a variety of reasons, some countries have pointed to issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community, and in some places they also face legal obstacles. However, with no draft bill yet and no word on the possibility, it is currently too early to say for sure how the French law will impact gaming. robloxPSN or other gaming-related services are subject to the ban.
Gamers can take some confidence in the fact that Macron has previously appreciated video games as an art form. The French president recently praised: Claire Obsker: Expedition 33 It was an impressive success, calling it “a shining example of French boldness and creativity.” Still, it's unclear where the line will be drawn if the ban goes into effect, as there are many games and gaming-related platforms with social features. If the current reports are accurate, official details will be released in the near future, at which point the future of social media and gaming in the country will become clearer.
Source: Reuters
