
8 days · 2 summary articles
France's Senate approves ban on social media for under-15s ahead of final vote
EU to propose social media age restrictions for children after summer break
France's Senate has approved a ban on social media for children under 15, with the National Assembly expected to give final approval later on Tuesday. The move would make France the first European Union country to implement such a ban.
The legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to protect children from the harmful effects of social media. If approved by the National Assembly, the law would take effect at the start of the school year in September.
The ban would require social media platforms to verify the age of their users and prevent those under 15 from creating accounts. Existing accounts held by under-15s would be closed within a four-month period, by January 1, 2027.
President Macron has been a vocal advocate for the ban, stating that it is necessary to protect children and adolescents from the dangers of social media. "We must protect our children and our youth," Macron said in an interview with TF1 last month. "From the start of the school year, no new accounts will be created for children under 15."
Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff echoed Macron's sentiments, writing on X that "France is leading the way. France is becoming the first country in Europe to introduce a digital age of majority to better protect our children online."
The move follows similar bans in Australia and Indonesia and comes ahead of a ban on smartphones in French high schools. Australia implemented a ban for under-16s on platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube last December.
The law is part of a broader effort by the French government to address the impact of digital technology on young people. It comes on the heels of a report by the French health agency Anses, which highlighted the harmful effects of social media on adolescents, particularly girls.
The ban would apply to major social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. These platforms would be required to implement age verification measures to enforce the ban.
France's move to ban social media for under-15s is part of a growing trend among governments to regulate the use of social media by children. Australia implemented a similar ban for under-16s last year, and other countries, including the UK, Greece, Spain, and Denmark, are considering similar measures.
The law is expected to be one of President Macron's final major reforms before the end of his term. The French government has stated that the ban is necessary to protect the mental health and well-being of young people in the digital age.
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