France has become the first European Union (EU) country to ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media, following the passage of landmark legislation by Parliament aimed at protecting young people from online harms.
The law, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to come into force from September 1, preventing children under 15 from creating new social media accounts. Existing accounts belonging to under-15 users will have to be closed during a four-month transition period ending on January 1, 2027.
Social media companies will be required to implement age-verification systems approved by the country’s privacy regulator, while the European Commission is examining whether the legislation aligns with wider EU digital rules.
The move comes amid growing international concern over the impacts of online browsing and content consumption on children’s mental health, online safety and wellbeing.
Halting Usage Before 15
The legislation received overwhelming backing in both chambers of the French Parliament. The Senate approved the bill by 243 votes to two, before it was ratified by the National Assembly with 279 votes in favour and 81 against, making France the first country in the European Union to introduce such a broad restriction. The government wants the law to take effect before the start of the new academic year.
Under the new rules, children under 15 will not be allowed to create social media accounts as of September 1. Platforms will then have four months to close existing accounts belonging to under-15 users and introduce age-verification systems approved by the French privacy regulator. The law places responsibility for enforcing the restrictions on social media companies rather than parents or schools.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the legislation, describing it as a major step towards protecting children online. This initiative is also a part of his campaign promises, which he has now successfully fulfilled. He further noted that the Constitutional Council must review the legislation before it comes into force, after which the focus would shift to implementing the new safeguards.
The legislation also provides exemptions for certain online services. Educational platforms, online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia, open-source software development platforms, and some educational projects will not fall under the ban. However, mainstream social media platforms will be required to comply with the new rules.
Protecting Children Online
France’s decision reflects growing concern across governments about the impact of social media on children and teenagers. Lawmakers have increasingly cited issues such as cyberbullying, harmful online content and excessive screen time while debating stronger safeguards for minors.
President Macron has previously urged young people to spend less time on their phones and more time reading, arguing that healthier digital habits are important for responsible citizenship.
The French law follows a similar move by Australia, which became the world’s first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16. France is now the first member of the European Union to adopt comparable legislation, potentially setting a precedent for other European countries considering similar restrictions.
At the same time, the legislation raises broader regulatory questions within the European Union. Because digital services operate under common EU rules, the European Commission is assessing whether this newly passed law is fully compatible with existing European legislation governing online platforms.
Social media companies, while generally opposed to blanket restrictions based on age, have indicated that they will comply with government regulations where required.
The Constitutional Council is expected to review the legislation before it formally takes effect. If approved, France will become the first EU country to enforce a nationwide age threshold for social media access, placing new responsibilities on technology companies to verify users’ ages before allowing them onto their platforms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The debate over children’s access to social media reflects a wider challenge facing societies around the world: how to protect young people online while preserving the benefits of digital participation.
This decision marks a significant policy shift and places greater responsibility on technology companies to verify users’ ages and comply with child safety rules.
However, meaningful online safety is likely to depend not only on age-based restrictions but also on stronger platform accountability, digital literacy, parental support, and transparent regulation. It is often harmful to just have the logic of a ‘forbidden fruit’ in place.
As more countries weigh similar measures, the focus should remain on creating safer digital spaces that protect children while encouraging informed, responsible, and inclusive participation online.
Je m’y étais engagé, c’est désormais voté : les réseaux sociaux seront interdits aux moins de 15 ans à la rentrée. Merci aux parlementaires. Au Conseil constitutionnel de statuer puis place à l’action pour rendre cette mesure concrète et protéger nos enfants en ligne. pic.twitter.com/jC79unxX67
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 21, 2026
