France Approves Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

France has approved a landmark law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, making it the first European country to introduce such a restriction.

The legislation, passed by both the French Senate and National Assembly on Tuesday, will require all users in France to verify their age before accessing social media. The measure is expected to take effect in two phases, with the full ban coming into force in January 2027.

Starting in September, children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create new social media accounts, and platforms will be required to implement age verification for new users. By January 2027, the requirement will extend to all existing accounts, meaning every social media user in France must prove they are over 15.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the move, which he had promised to introduce as part of his efforts to address concerns about the impact of social media on children’s well-being.

However, critics have raised concerns about privacy, the effectiveness of age verification systems, and whether young users will find ways around the restrictions.