New Law Enacted to Protect Minors
French lawmakers have voted to ban social media use for children under 15, making France the first European Union country to implement such an age restriction. President Emmanuel Macron will sign the bill into law, effective at the start of the new school year in September.
Age Verification and Enforcement
The law will be enforced by Arcom, France’s audiovisual and digital communications regulator. Social media companies are expected to implement age verification systems to comply with the new requirements, although the exact methods have not yet been detailed.
Public Reaction and Expert Opinions
The measure has been widely supported by parents and child experts. Pediatrician Geraldine Delacroix highlighted growing concerns over excessive smartphone use and social media among teenagers. Critics, including French Education Minister Édouard Geffray and Amnesty International France, caution that restrictions alone are insufficient and call for broader changes to social media business models and content filtering.
Broader Context
France follows other nations considering minimum age limits, including Australia (under 16) and the UK (coming into effect next year). Across OECD countries, 15-year-olds often spend over 30 hours weekly on digital devices. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the responsibility of developers and regulators to ensure online safety for minors.
Historical Precedent
This is not France’s first action to limit minor access online. A 2025 law restricting access to online pornography for minors also required proof of age to access content, setting a precedent for digital protections for children.
