France’s Parliament has approved legislation banning children under the age of 15 from using social-media platforms, making the country the first member of the European Union to adopt a restriction of this scope.
The measure, strongly supported by President Emmanuel Macron, cleared both chambers of Parliament on Tuesday. It is intended to protect children from cyberbullying, addictive platform features, harmful content and the potential effects of excessive social-media use on mental health. (AP News)
Under the phased rollout, children younger than 15 will be prevented from creating new social-media accounts from September 1, 2026. Platforms will then be required to verify users’ ages and block or remove existing accounts belonging to under-15s by January 2027. (Business Standard)
The law is expected to cover major services such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Educational and scientific resources are exempt, while the precise treatment of services including YouTube and private messaging platforms may depend on how regulators interpret the legislation and European Union definitions of social-networking services. (AP News)
Social-media companies will carry the main responsibility for enforcement. They will be expected to introduce age-assurance systems capable of identifying underage users, although the legislation does not mandate a single verification technology.
That requirement has prompted concerns about privacy and practicality. Critics argue that reliable enforcement could require platforms to collect identity documents, facial estimates or other sensitive information from all users, including adults. Others warn that technologically confident teenagers may bypass the controls by providing false information or using accounts registered by older people.
The legislation also extends restrictions on mobile-phone use to French high schools, building on existing rules covering younger pupils. The government presents the measures as part of a wider attempt to reduce screen exposure and restore clearer boundaries between school life and digital platforms. (AP News)
Macron described the parliamentary approval as an important step in protecting children and adolescents. The ban has become one of the flagship domestic initiatives of the final period of his presidency.
Supporters, including parent groups and child-safety advocates, say voluntary parental controls and platform safeguards have proved insufficient. They argue that a statutory minimum age gives families a clear national rule and forces technology companies to take greater responsibility for verifying their users.
Opponents question whether a blanket ban addresses the underlying causes of online harm. They have called instead for stronger content moderation, safer platform design, digital-literacy education and more accessible mental-health support.
The legislation could still face scrutiny from France’s Constitutional Council, while its implementation must remain compatible with EU digital-services rules. An earlier version was revised after concerns that parts of it might conflict with European law. (AP News)
France’s action reflects a broader international push to restrict children’s access to social media. Australia has already introduced a ban for users under 16, while several European governments are considering age limits or stricter verification requirements.
The effectiveness of the French policy will ultimately depend on whether platforms can build verification systems that are difficult to evade without creating excessive privacy risks. Its rollout will therefore be closely watched by other European countries considering similar measures.
