Key facts
- France's parliament has approved a law banning social media for individuals under 15.
- France is the first EU country to implement such a restriction.
- President Macron supports the legislation as a crucial reform.
- The law will require age verification for all new social media accounts from September 1.
- The ban will extend to all existing accounts in January 2027.
- Social media platforms must use age-verification tools approved by the French privacy regulator.
France's parliament has approved a law that will ban social media access for individuals under the age of 15, making it the first European Union country to implement such a restriction. President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the move, which he pledged to introduce. The law will be implemented in two stages: from September 1, individuals under 15 will not be able to open new accounts, and age verification will be required for all new accounts. From January 2027, this rule will apply to all existing accounts, meaning everyone in France will have to prove they are over 15 to use social media. Social media platforms would need to use age-verification tools approved by the French privacy regulator. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy, the efficacy of age-verification tools, and the risk of young people bypassing them. French Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff defended the speed of the law's implementation, stating that age-verification tools already exist. Australia previously banned under-16s from social media in December, but many children continue to access platforms. Professor Tama Leaver noted that while Australia's ban has not fully succeeded technically, it has demonstrated that a ban can be implemented. He suggested that young people need to be part of such conversations. Leaver also noted that France's ban may have a higher chance of success due to the age verification requirement, but this increases privacy risks. Legislation restricting young people's access to social media is increasing across Europe. In the UK, former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to ban under-16s from social media from January 2027, with an optional midnight curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also proposed a 'social media delay' for children in Europe.