In a pioneering move within the European Union, France has legislated a nationwide prohibition on social media access for children under 15 years old. This decisive action, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, mandates that social media platforms block users under 15 from creating new accounts starting September 1. Additionally, existing accounts for this age group must be closed by January 2027 through enforced age verification protocols.
The responsibility for upholding this ban falls on social media companies, which are required to implement systems for verifying users’ ages while also safeguarding personal data. Alongside this, the new law introduces a ban on mobile phone use in high schools from the commencement of the upcoming academic year, though educational websites and online encyclopedias will not be subject to these restrictions.
Proponents of the legislation argue that it is a crucial step in shielding children from the detrimental impacts of excessive social media usage on mental health. However, the law has faced criticism over privacy concerns, potential difficulties in execution, and the risk that children might circumvent the age-verification measures.
This legislative action by France coincides with broader discussions at the European Commission level, where EU-wide measures for enhancing children’s online safety are under consideration. The Commission has already initiated tests of a digital age-verification application in various member states.
France’s initiative reflects a growing international trend towards more stringent regulation of children’s access to social media, highlighting the increasing global focus on ensuring the online safety of young users.