Paris, Jul 22 (V7N) – France's parliament has approved legislation banning children under the age of 15 from using social media, making the country the first in Europe to adopt such a measure aimed at protecting minors online.
According to the BBC, the French Senate and National Assembly passed the bill on Tuesday (July 21). The new law is scheduled to be implemented in phases before taking full effect in January 2027.
Under the legislation, all users in France will be required to verify their age before creating or accessing social media accounts.
The first phase will begin in September 2026, when children under 15 will no longer be allowed to open new social media accounts. Age verification will be mandatory for all newly created accounts.
From January 2027, the requirement will be extended to all existing accounts, meaning every social media user in France will have to prove they are at least 15 years old to continue using the platforms.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the passage of the law, fulfilling a pledge he made during the final phase of his current presidential term.
Despite broad political support, questions remain over how effectively the law can be enforced. The French government has argued that the age verification technology required for implementation is both secure and reliable.
Once the ban takes effect, social media companies operating in France will be required to use age verification systems approved by the country's data protection and privacy regulator.
The move comes amid growing international concern over the impact of social media on children's mental health. The United Kingdom and the European Union are also considering similar measures, while France becomes the second country after Australia to introduce a nationwide age-based restriction on social media access for minors.
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