France’s parliament on Tuesday approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to bar children from apps such as TikTok.

President Emmanuel Macron has championed the ban as a flagship reform of his final term in office and pledged to enforce it by September.

“France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers,” Macron said in a video posted on social media, hailing “a major step forward”. He thanked members of parliament for backing the legislation.

“The Constitutional Council must now rule on it, and then it will be time to take action to make this measure a reality and protect our children online,” he added.

After approval by the Senate earlier on Tuesday, members of the National Assembly passed the bill by 279 votes to 81.

Indonesia bans social media for under 16s

A growing number of countries are taking steps to restrict social media access amid multiplying warnings over its harmful effects on children.