France has become the first country in the European Union to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media after both houses of Parliament approved a landmark law aimed at protecting young people online.
The legislation is expected to take effect on September 1, giving social media companies only a few months to prepare for the new rules.
Under the new law, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X will be required to introduce government-approved age verification systems to prevent children under 15 from creating new accounts. Companies will also have four months to remove existing accounts belonging to underage users or risk penalties for failing to comply. The law includes limited exemptions for educational and scientific services but targets mainstream social networking platforms.
The legislation also introduces a ban on cellphone use in French high schools, expanding the country’s efforts to reduce screen time among students. French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the measures, arguing they are necessary to combat cyberbullying, harmful online content, social media addiction, and the growing mental health challenges faced by teenagers.
Supporters say the new rules will create a safer digital environment for children, while critics have questioned whether age verification systems can effectively stop determined teenagers from bypassing the restrictions. Others have also raised concerns about privacy and how the law will be enforced in practice. The legislation may still undergo constitutional and European Union reviews before its full implementation.
France’s decision follows Australia’s introduction of similar restrictions on social media access for children under 16. However, early studies from Australia suggest many underage users have continued accessing social platforms despite the ban, highlighting the challenges governments face when trying to regulate children’s online activity. Several other countries are now considering similar measures as concerns over the impact of social media on young people continue to grow.
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