French Parliament greenlights social media ban for under-15s
France has become the first European nation to enact a ban on social media access for children under 15, a move driven by concerns about child welfare and prompted by similar legislation in other countries. The law will initially restrict account creation, with enforcement of existing accounts delayed until 2027, and includes a broader ban on cell phone use in schools. Privacy advocates are urging a shift towards regulating platform features rather than blanket bans.
France has passed legislation to block social media access for individuals under 15, marking the first European country to implement such a ban. The law, effective September 1, 2024, will prevent children from creating new social media accounts. Enforcement of existing accounts will not begin until January 2027.
This action follows similar efforts in Australia, Turkey, and Indonesia, and reflects a growing global trend to address concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The French government, under President Emmanuel Macron, has prioritized this issue, and the law also includes a ban on cell phone use in schools, extending an existing policy.
To enforce the ban, social media platforms will need to have their age verification methods approved by France’s privacy regulator. The European Commission is also considering a bloc-wide ban for users under 13, with Ursula von der Leyen emphasizing the need for a minimum age for social media use to protect children from harm.
Critics argue that focusing on regulating platform features, such as engagement-based algorithms that can expose children to harmful content, would be a more effective approach than a complete ban. Amnésy International’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard, has urged governments to prioritize addressing the root causes of harm rather than simply restricting access.