France bans under-15s from social media in European first
France has become the first European country to prohibit under-15s from using social media, forcing tech platforms to scale up age-verification systems ahead of a potential EU-wide rollout.
The French parliament approved a blanket ban on social media access for children under 15 on Tuesday, passing the legislation by 279 votes to 81 in the National Assembly. The law prevents platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram from allowing new underage accounts starting 1 September. Existing accounts held by minors will face closure from January 2027.
This regulatory shift places the technical and financial burden of enforcement directly on tech companies. Digital minister Anne Le Hénanff stated that platforms will be required to make all French users prove their age during a four-month window, automatically closing the accounts of those who are under 15. Assembly member Laure Miller told AFP that the major platforms are "largely ready" for this logistical challenge, though Le Hénanff promised that users' personal data would remain protected during the verification process.
The parliamentary debate centred on how to implement the restrictions without violating broader European digital regulations. Senators had favoured a two-tier system that would have blacklisted particularly harmful platforms while allowing others with parental consent. Centrist senator Catherine Morin-Desailly warned that this approach would require fresh consultations with the European Commission and carried a "small risk" of non-compliance with European law. Lawmakers ultimately adopted the lower house's simpler, blanket prohibition to avoid these legal hurdles.
France is now positioning itself as the test case for a continent-wide policy shift. The European Commission is actively considering a social media ban following pressure from France, Greece and Spain. Last week, commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated that children should have "phased and gradual access" to these platforms. The commission has also started testing a dedicated age-verification app with member states, infrastructure that will be crucial if other nations follow the French model.
The legislation carves out exceptions for educational platforms and online encyclopedias, and notably does not impose penalties on children or parents. France's public health watchdog provided the scientific basis for the law, concluding last year that major platforms are harmful to adolescents, particularly girls. "France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers," Emmanuel Macron said on social media, calling the vote a "major step forward". For the president, the ban represents a final domestic policy victory before he steps down next year, assuming it survives a mandatory review by the Constitutional Council.
