Les pays s'efforcent de resserrer les règles des médias sociaux pour les enfants

France’s parliament was set to approve a landmark bill on July 21 that would bar children under 15 from using social media, positioning the nation among more than 20 countries exploring or implementing age-based restrictions. The measure, which emerged from weeks of debate between members of the National Assembly and Senate, reflects growing global concern over the impact of digital platforms on young users. Lawmakers reached a compromise on July 20, resolving earlier disputes over whether the ban should apply universally across all social networks or target only platforms identified as particularly harmful. The revised proposal aims to balance protection against potential harms with practical enforcement. Both chambers had planned to finalize the legislation during the week of July 21, with the government hopeful of introducing the rule ahead of the start of the new school year in September. The push for stricter regulations comes amid increasing evidence of the risks associated with early exposure to social media. In Australia, a comprehensive national ban on social media for children under 16 took effect in December 2025, marking the first such sweeping measure globally. Indonesia implemented similar restrictions in March, limiting account creation for users under 16 on high-risk platforms, while Malaysia introduced comparable rules in June. Brazil requires underage users to connect their accounts to those of their parents or guardians, with platforms mandated to confirm users' ages. In Asia, China has gradually tightened controls on minors’ internet access since 2019, starting with curfews and time limits on online gaming before expanding these restrictions to include social media and streaming services in 2023. Türkiye enacted legislation in April prohibiting children under 15 from accessing social media, with the law slated to come into effect in late 2026. The United Arab Emirates announced its own under-15 ban in June, with implementation expected within approximately one year. The European Union has also signaled its intent to regulate social media usage by minors. The European Commission is drafting proposals following recommendations from an expert panel urging limits on unsupervised use for children under 13 and suggesting phased access for those aged 13 to 18. Greece plans to enforce a ban on children under 15 beginning January 1, 2027, while Austria and Slovenia are preparing to restrict access for children under 14 and 15, respectively. Denmark has proposed barring under-15s from certain platforms, and Sweden is considering an under-15 ban effective from early 2028. Germany is evaluating both age-based and platform-specific restrictions, while Ireland has indicated it might introduce legislation if the EU fails to act. Outside Europe, Norway intends to present a bill targeting children under 16 by year-end, and the United Kingdom is moving toward similar restrictions by early 2027. Canada has introduced legislation that would prevent children under 16 from maintaining social media accounts unless platforms can prove they offer sufficient protections. In South Asia, several Indian states are also advancing their own initiatives. Karnataka has already introduced an under-16 ban, and other states are contemplating similar measures. Portugal has approved a bill requiring parental consent for users aged 13 to 16, while Spain proposes raising the minimum age for independent access from 14 to 16. Italian lawmakers are considering an under-15 ban, reflecting a broader trend of legislative action aimed at safeguarding youth from the perceived dangers of social media.