France has become the first European country to approve legislation banning children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen online safety for minors.
The legislation was approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday and is designed to address growing concerns about the effects of social media on children’s mental health, safety, and overall wellbeing.
Following the parliamentary vote, Junior Minister for Artificial Intelligence Anne Le Hénanff described the move as a landmark decision.
“France opens the way by being the first country in Europe to adopt a digital majority.”
New Rules Take Effect in September
Under the new law, children younger than 15 will no longer be allowed to create social media accounts beginning September 1.
Social media platforms will then have four months to identify and remove existing accounts belonging to users below the legal age limit.
Companies operating social media services in France will also be required to implement age verification systems approved by the country’s privacy regulator to ensure compliance with the legislation.
Macron Pushes for Stronger Online Protection
French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly advocated stricter controls on children’s use of smartphones and social media.
He has urged authorities to implement the law before the start of the next academic year as part of broader efforts to reduce excessive screen time among young people.
Speaking at an event in April, Macron said:
“We left you in this jungle and it robbed you of your attention. We need to slow down and help you become adults, and above all citizens.”
The government believes reducing children’s exposure to social media will help improve concentration, mental wellbeing, and online safety.
Social Media Companies Face New Compliance Requirements
The legislation requires platforms to introduce robust age verification mechanisms capable of preventing underage users from creating accounts.
While many social media companies have opposed blanket age-based restrictions, arguing they already enforce minimum age requirements and provide parental controls, several have indicated they will comply where national laws require it.
Failure to meet the new legal obligations could expose platforms to regulatory action under French law.
European Commission to Review the Law
The European Commission is expected to examine whether France’s legislation is fully compatible with existing European Union digital regulations.
The EU is already working on broader measures aimed at strengthening online protections for children through updated digital safety rules.
France has approved a law banning children under 15 from using social media, requiring age verification and the removal of existing underage accounts.
Australia Introduced a Similar Ban Earlier
Although France is the first country in Europe to pass such legislation, Australia became the world’s first nation to implement a nationwide social media ban for minors under the age of 16 in December 2025.
The French government hopes its approach will establish a new benchmark for protecting children online while encouraging other European countries to adopt similar measures.
