France moves to ban minors from social media with bold 'digital curfew'

The French government is preparing to ban social media access for children under 15 and introduce a nationwide digital curfew for teenagers aged 15 to 18, aimed at curbing late-night scrolling and screen addiction.

The proposed legislation, expected to be tabled in the National Assembly later this year, represents one of the most ambitious efforts by a Western democracy to limit the influence of social media platforms on young people’s lives.

At the core of the bill is a 'digital curfew' that would block access to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am for users aged 15 to 18.

Supporters argue that the goal is not to punish teenagers but to protect their mental and physical health, particularly their sleep, as reports indicate many scroll endlessly during late-night hours.

“We’re not banning phones or internet,” said Digital Affairs Minister Marina Ferrari in an interview on Wednesday. “But we are saying: enough is enough. Teenagers need rest. They need space to disconnect, and they need support in doing so.”

According to the Ministry of Health, French adolescents spend an average of 3.5 hours daily on social media, with usage peaking late at night. Health experts warn that this trend contributes to sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, and online harassment.

The Bill also proposes making it illegal for children under 15 to create or maintain social media accounts unless expressly authorised by a parent or guardian. Platforms will be required to verify users’ ages or face fines and restrictions.

“Social media was never designed for children,” said Ferrari. “Yet today, 80 per cent of 12-year-olds in France are on platforms designed for adults. That must change.”

The legislation will impose new legal obligations on tech companies to implement reliable age verification tools, such as ID checks or AI-powered age estimation. Non-compliant companies could face fines up to €1 million (Sh139.8 million) per breach or be banned from operating in France.

The French government added that it is collaborating with platforms and privacy watchdogs to ensure that these tools do not compromise user data.

If passed, France would become the first EU country to enforce a national digital curfew for teens, positioning itself as a leader in the growing global movement to regulate Big Tech’s influence on minors.

Already, similar debates are unfolding in Australia, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, as governments worldwide grapple with youth mental health and online safety concerns.

The draft Bill is expected to reach parliamentary committees by late October, with debates scheduled to follow shortly thereafter.

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