France becomes first European country to ban social media for minors under 15

The French Parliament passed a law on July 21 banning children under the age of 15 from accessing social media services. This measure makes France the first European country to include such a restriction in its national legislation. The Senate approved the compromise bill with a vote of 243 to 2, and the National Assembly passed it a few hours later.

The law aims to protect children from risks including addiction, bullying, and abuse. President Emmanuel Macron has campaigned for such measures since 2017, arguing that online anonymity leads to abuse. Anne Le Hénanff, the minister delegate for digital sovereignty, stated that the country is establishing a digital age of majority to improve online child protection.

The ban targets online social network services, which is expected to include platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. While lawmakers did not define the exact scope, the legislation is not intended to include educational platforms, open-source software, or online encyclopedias like Wikipedia. The law now awaits a review by the Constitutional Council before the president signs it. The requirement for age verification has raised concerns regarding government oversight because the identity checks intended for minors will apply to all internet users.