**France Passes Law Banning Under-15s from Social Media**
In a landmark decision, France's parliament has approved a law that will prohibit individuals under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, making it the first country in Europe to implement such a ban. The law is set to take effect in January 2027, following a phased implementation that begins in September 2026.
The new legislation mandates that all users in France must verify their age to create or maintain social media accounts. Initially, from September 2026, individuals under 15 will be unable to open new accounts, and age verification will be required for all new registrations. By January 2027, this rule will extend to existing accounts, meaning that all users must prove they are over the age of 15 to continue using social media.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his support for the law, which he had promised to introduce as part of his agenda before the end of his decade in office. The government has emphasized the necessity of implementing age verification tools that are both effective and secure, despite skepticism regarding the feasibility of enforcing such measures.
Both the French Senate and National Assembly passed the ban on Tuesday, despite facing criticism from some left-wing lawmakers who raised concerns about the implications for privacy and the potential for young users to circumvent the age verification process. The French Digital Minister, Anne Le Hénanff, defended the expedited timeline for the law's implementation, citing the availability of existing age-verification technologies.
France's move follows Australia's recent legislation, which banned under-16s from social media in December 2022. However, reports indicate that many young Australians continue to access these platforms despite the restrictions. A study by Australia's eSafety Commission revealed that seven out of ten children under 16 who had social media accounts prior to the ban still retained some level of access.
Tama Leaver, a Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University in Australia, commented on the challenges of enforcing such bans. He noted that while the Australian ban has not achieved its intended technical goals, it has demonstrated that such restrictions are possible. Leaver suggested that successful implementation requires involving young people in the conversation, ensuring that regulations are developed collaboratively rather than imposed unilaterally.
Concerns surrounding privacy and the potential risks associated with age verification have been highlighted by critics of the French law. Experts warn that the requirement for age verification could lead to increased privacy risks for users and may inadvertently push young people into less regulated online environments. Additionally, there are fears that restricting access to social media could limit young people's exposure to news and political discourse.
The trend of tightening regulations on social media access for minors has gained momentum across Europe in recent months. In June, former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to ban under-16s from social media in the UK starting in January 2027, along with a proposed midnight curfew for teens aged 16 and 17. Furthermore, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested a "social media delay" for children in Europe, indicating that new legislation could be introduced in the near future.
As France moves forward with its pioneering legislation, it remains to be seen how effective the ban will be in practice and what impact it will have on young people's engagement with social media. The law represents a significant shift in the approach to digital safety for minors, reflecting growing concerns about the mental health and well-being of children in an increasingly connected world.