France Enforces First EU-Wide Social Media Ban for Children Under 15
France's parliament has approved a landmark bill banning social media access for children under 15, setting a precedent for EU child protection policies.
POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — France’s parliament has approved a groundbreaking bill to ban social media access for children under 15, marking the first such legislation in the European Union. The bill, which targets platforms like TikTok, is set to be enforced by September.
President Emmanuel Macron has championed the ban as a key reform during his final term. In a video posted on social media, Macron stated, “France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers.” He hailed the legislation as “a major step forward” in safeguarding young users from potential online harms.
The bill passed through the National Assembly with a significant majority, reflecting widespread political and public support for enhanced digital safety measures for minors. The legislation mandates that social media platforms implement stringent age verification processes to enforce the ban.
Critics argue that the ban may be challenging to enforce — and could drive children to use VPNs to bypass restrictions. However, proponents believe it’s a necessary measure to protect young users from the adverse effects of social media, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and mental health issues.
This move by France sets a precedent for other EU countries grappling with the balance between digital freedom and child protection. As the legislation comes into effect, it will be closely watched by policymakers across Europe, potentially influencing future digital regulations.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
