France passes under-15 social media ban in EU first

The French parliament has approved a blanket ban on social media access for children under 15, marking the first such legislation in the European Union. The National Assembly passed the bill by 279 votes to 81, following earlier approval by the Senate.

The legislation places the enforcement burden directly on technology companies, requiring them to deploy age-verification tools at scale. Lawmaker Laure Miller argued that “the major platforms are, in my view, largely ready,” a sentiment echoed by Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff, who noted existing tools and others in development.

Platforms will be required to block users under 15 from creating new accounts starting September 1, with existing accounts targeted for closure by January 2027. “For four months, all of us in France will have to prove our age,” Le Henanff told journalists, adding that “if someone is under 15, the account will be closed.”

Lawmakers rejected a Senate proposal for a two-tier system that would have blocked only blacklisted platforms while allowing others with parental consent. Centrist senator Catherine Morin-Desailly noted that the rejected approach carried a “small risk” of non-compliance with European law and would have required fresh, time-consuming consultations with the European Commission.

The French vote sets a concrete benchmark as the EU actively explores bloc-wide restrictions. Last week, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen advocated for “phased and gradual access” for children. Meanwhile, the European Commission has already unveiled an age-verification app that member states, including France, have begun testing in recent months.

President Emmanuel Macron championed the ban as a flagship reform of his final term. “France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers,” Macron said, calling the vote “a major step forward.” The measure now requires review by the Constitutional Council before taking effect.

The bill exempts educational platforms and online encyclopaedias, and notably contains no penalties for children or parents. Instead, it relies entirely on corporate compliance to restrict access to services like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. France’s public health watchdog last year linked these platforms to declining adolescent mental health, particularly among girls.