France Bans Social Media for Children Under 15

PARIS – France has officially approved legislation prohibiting children under the age of 15 from holding social media accounts, making the country one of the first in Europe to introduce strict age restrictions aimed at protecting minors in the digital environment.

According to Reuters, the law requires major social media platforms to implement reliable age-verification systems before users can register for an account. Companies that fail to comply could face financial penalties and other regulatory sanctions under French law.

President Emmanuel Macron, who has repeatedly called for stronger safeguards for children online, welcomed the legislation as a major step toward creating a safer digital environment. The French government argues that excessive social media use has been linked to cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online addiction, and growing mental health concerns among teenagers.

"We must better protect our children in the digital world," Macron said, as quoted by Reuters.

The legislation is expected to affect major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X, all of which will be required to strengthen their age-verification procedures. French authorities say the measure is designed to prevent children from bypassing age limits simply by entering false birth dates during registration.

According to the Associated Press, the law forms part of France's broader national strategy to improve child safety online while encouraging responsible technology use. Officials stressed that parents and schools will continue to play a central role in digital education, but technology companies must also assume greater responsibility for protecting underage users.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that child protection organizations broadly welcomed the legislation, describing it as a significant milestone in online safety. However, several digital rights groups cautioned that age-verification systems should be implemented in ways that respect user privacy and safeguard personal data.

Technology policy experts believe France's decision could influence similar legislative efforts across the European Union as governments seek stronger safeguards for young internet users. Concerns over the impact of social media on adolescent mental health have intensified worldwide, prompting policymakers to balance technological innovation with child protection.

If successfully implemented, France's new law could become a benchmark for future digital safety regulations across Europe and beyond.