In brief
France’s parliament approved a law that will prohibit anyone under 15 from open‑accessing social media by January 2027. The law phases in two stages: new accounts under 15 will be blocked from September, and all existing accounts will require age verification next year. Supporters say it protects children from harmful content, while critics warn about privacy risks and the likelihood of teens finding alternative, unregulated platforms. The legislation follows similar moves in Australia and is part of a broader EU debate on child‑online safety.
The French parliament has approved a landmark law that will prevent any child under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, a first for a European country. From September, new accounts cannot be created by those under 15; by January 2027, all existing accounts will require age verification against tools approved by the CNIL.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the move, hailing it as a decisive step to close the decade of his presidency and safeguard children’s mental health amid rising concerns about online bullying, addiction and harmful content.
Supporters argue the rule will protect young users, but critics question the effectiveness of the age‑verification technology, the privacy implications, and the risk of kids migrating to less‑regulated or more dangerous online spaces.
The digital ministry stressed that robust age‑verification tools already exist, allowing for quick implementation. France follows a similar ban in Australia for users under 16, where authorities report that many children continue to stay online.
European lawmakers are watching closely: the UK announced a ban on under‑16s from January 2027, and the EU has proposed a “social media delay” for children. France’s legislation could set a precedent across the continent on how to regulate child access to digital platforms.
