France Bans Social Media for Children Under 15

Darwin, 22 July : France has banned the use of social media for children under the age of 15, becoming the first country in Europe and the second in the world to impose such a restriction on minors. The French Parliament passed the legislation on Tuesday, and it is set to take effect in January 2027.

According to a BBC report published on Wednesday (July 22), the French Senate and the National Assembly approved the bill on Tuesday. Despite opposition from some left-wing political parties, the legislation was ultimately passed.

According to Reuters, once the law comes into force, social media platforms operating in France will be required to use age verification systems approved by the country’s privacy regulator.

Under the new law, everyone wishing to use social media in France must undergo age verification. The measure comes amid growing concerns over the mental health of children and teenagers. The United Kingdom and the European Union are also considering similar restrictions.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the initiative. He had previously pledged to introduce the legislation as part of the agenda marking his tenth year in office.

However, some critics have raised concerns about how the law will be enforced. They argue that age verification technology could affect users’ privacy. They have also questioned the effectiveness of such systems, warning that teenagers may find ways to bypass them. In addition, critics say the legislation has been introduced too quickly.

The French government, however, maintains that the necessary online age verification technology is already available and is both effective and secure.

France’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Anne Le Hénanff, said, “Since age verification technology already exists, there should be no obstacle to implementing the law quickly.”

France is the second country in the world to introduce such a ban. In December 2025, Australia became the first country to prohibit social media use for children under the age of 16.

However, Australia’s experience suggests that many teenagers continue to access social media despite the ban. In March, the country’s eSafety Commissioner reported that, among children under 16 who had social media accounts before the restrictions took effect, seven out of ten were still able to access one or more platforms in some way.

Note: This is a translation of the text you provided. I have not verified the factual accuracy of the claims or whether the reported events occurred as described.