France has become the first European Union nation to ban children under 15 from using social media, following the approval of sweeping legislation by lawmakers. The new rules require social media platforms to implement age-verification systems to block young users, a move aimed at addressing growing concerns over children's mental health and online safety.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the legislation's passage in a social media post, stating, "Social media will be banned for those under 15 starting back-to-school." He added that the measure now awaits a ruling from the Constitutional Council before being enacted. "It's up to the Constitutional Council to rule, then on to action to make this measure concrete and protect our children online," Macron said.
The legislation passed with significant support in Parliament and now moves to President Macron for his signature. According to reports, Australia was the first country to ban social media for users under 16 last year, and the United Kingdom plans to introduce similar measures next year. Spain, Greece, and Denmark are also reportedly considering minimum age requirements for social media access.
Under the French plan, children will be barred from creating new social media accounts beginning in September, with age verification mandated for all new users. The requirement is set to expand to existing accounts starting in January 2027, at which point all users in France will need to verify they are at least 15 years old. Platforms will be required to utilize age-verification technology approved by France's privacy regulator.
Social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt has highlighted the potential positive impacts of such bans, noting that Australia's youth social media ban has reportedly boosted family time by 30% and improved sleep and focus among young people. Haidt advocates for broader adoption of these measures, emphasizing the importance of government support for parents aiming to manage their children's online activities and foster overall youth well-being.