Pioneers: France decides to ban social media for under-15s

France has become the first country in Europe to enact a law banning social media access for children under the age of 15, with the legislation set to take effect after summer vacation. The French Senate approved the measure with broad support, and the National Assembly in Paris followed suit shortly afterward, aligning with President Emmanuel Macron’s vision. The new law will come into force on September 1, with existing accounts for minors granted a transition period until January 1, 2027, during which time they will be systematically closed. The decision marks a major shift in how digital platforms regulate content for young users. The law mandates that social media platforms implement age verification systems to ensure compliance. It aims to protect children from risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic role models, violent content, and sleep deprivation caused by excessive screen time. The legislation does not impose penalties on children or their parents, instead placing responsibility on platform operators to create robust verification mechanisms. These could include multiple systems allowing users to choose their preferred method. According to parliamentary rapporteur Laure Miller, who belongs to the government faction, many platforms are already well-prepared for this requirement. The law includes several exceptions, particularly for educational purposes. For example, online dictionaries and digital projects aimed at learning are exempt from the ban. However, platforms such as YouTube and WhatsApp must introduce age checks for features resembling social networks, such as comment sections or shared channels. Pure video viewing and private messaging remain unaffected by the restriction. This nuanced approach reflects an attempt to balance protection with practicality, ensuring that essential communication tools remain accessible while limiting exposure to harmful content. The French initiative comes amid growing pressure from the European Union to establish similar regulations. Two weeks prior to the passage of the law, the EU Commission had urged France to revise its proposal, citing concerns over potential conflicts with EU law due to overlapping competencies. Recently, a European expert group recommended a social media ban for children under 13 years old within the EU, suggesting that older adolescents might also face restrictions if platforms fail to safeguard them from addiction, violence, and hate speech. Miller emphasized that the French law is aligned with future EU-wide legislation, indicating a broader trend toward stricter regulation of digital spaces for minors. French President Macron has been a key advocate for the measure, pushing for its implementation during his final term in office. He has publicly stated that the law is part of a larger effort to improve the mental health of young people, citing reports that highlight the negative impact of social media on youth. According to a national health authority study, frequent use of social media correlates with increased anxiety, depression, and poor sleep patterns among teenagers. The law seeks to mitigate these effects by reducing screen time and limiting access to potentially harmful content. The law also extends restrictions on mobile phone usage in schools, expanding the previous policy from primary and secondary levels to include high school students. While this represents a more comprehensive approach to digital wellness, it has sparked debate among educators and parents regarding the balance between safety and academic freedom. Despite these discussions, the law has received widespread political backing, reflecting a consensus on the need for stronger protections for young users in the digital age. As the law moves forward, attention will focus on how platforms will implement age verification systems and whether the EU will follow France's lead in establishing similar rules across member states.