France Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Under-15 Social Media
French lawmakers passed sweeping legislation barring children under 15 from social media platforms, alongside a ban on phones in high schools
Synopsis
The National Assembly and Senate of France have passed a bill that prohibits social media use by children below 15 years of age, making it the first European Union country to introduce a blanket ban. It also bans mobile phones in high schools, which is one of President Emmanuel Macron's signature policies, and is scheduled to go into effect from the new school year in September, subject to a constitutional review.
AdvertisementParliament votes a historic decision
France was the first EU nation to pass a ban on social media for children following the vote in both chambers of the French Parliament, as the world grapples with the impact of digital content on kids.
President Macron, who has been calling for a move by the bloc to better safeguard children and teenagers, described the result as "a major step forward" and said that France is "at the forefront of Europe in protecting our children and our teenagers".
AdvertisementWhat does this law regulate?
The restriction is not absolute, but broad. The law does not affect online encyclopedias or educational or scientific directories and provides an exception for mobile phone use within high schools. But there is a procedural challenge to implementation: the constitution is likely to be reviewed for compliance with the law, and this may extend the time it takes for the law to come into effect.
Most opposition was from the left. French lawmakers from the group France Unbowed have taken to the streets to protest the bill, claiming it could not be deemed constitutional, that it would essentially strip internet users of anonymity and that enforcement would be impossible.
Enforcement will rely on age verification, which includes the use of technology to verify the age of users before they access a platform, such as ID linked apps. The platforms would be expected to implement verification tools of their own choice, such as an one launched by the European Commission in April, said Laure Miller, a lawmaker.
A Wider European Trend
The movement is gaining momentum worldwide, and France is now part of it. Australia was the first to ban social media for under-16s, late last year, and Britain's government has pledged restrictions on social media that are due to come in next year, with Spain, Greece and Denmark also considering age limits.
AdvertisementHowever, the EU plan to enforce remains tricky: While the EU can impose obligations on companies such as TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, it cannot do so on a single level per State since the European Commission has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate large platforms.
Why It Matters
The law comes in the wake of real concerns about mental health among adolescents. Adolescents, especially girls, are suffering harm from social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, which aren't responsible for them being unwell, but that is the conclusion of the French public health watchdog.
Several French families have also filed a lawsuit against TikTok for teens who have died by suicide due to harmful content on the platform. The vote also represents a peak achievement for Macron, who is one of the last major reforms to be pushed through in his own country before he resigns in April 2027.
