France Enacts Social Media Ban for Under-15s

France's legislative bodies have approved a groundbreaking bill that prohibits social media use by children under 15 years old. The initiative, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, seeks to shield minors from the detrimental effects of digital content. This move positions France at the forefront of European efforts to regulate online safety for children.

The ban has been structured to be implemented in two phases. Initially, beginning on September 1, children under 15 will be prevented from establishing new social media accounts. Existing accounts will be affected starting January 2027. This legislation marks a significant policy shift designed to protect adolescents, amid escalating concerns over the influence of platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

While the bill passed both chambers of parliament, its constitutional validity is currently under scrutiny. President Macron has emphasized the importance of this measure, aiming for swift implementation concurrent with the upcoming school year. The French government assures that personal data protection measures will continue to be upheld throughout the roll-out.