France Approves Landmark Law Banning Social Media for Under-15s as Europe Moves Towards Tougher Online Safety Rules for Children

France has approved landmark legislation banning children under the age of 15 from accessing social media, becoming the first country in Europe to adopt such sweeping restrictions as governments across the continent move to strengthen online protections for young people.

The law, approved by both the French Senate and National Assembly, will require all social media users in France to verify their age before accessing platforms. The new rules will be introduced in two phases, with age verification becoming mandatory for all new social media accounts from September 2026. From January 2027, every existing account will also be subject to age verification, effectively preventing anyone under 15 from using social media platforms legally.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the legislation, describing it as a key step in protecting children from the growing risks associated with excessive social media use. The measure fulfils one of Macron’s major digital policy commitments before the end of his second presidential term, during which he has repeatedly called for stricter safeguards for minors online.

Under the legislation, social media companies operating in France will be required to implement age-verification systems approved by the country’s data protection authority. The government says the technology needed to verify users’ ages already exists and can be deployed while protecting users’ personal information.

French Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff defended the rapid rollout of the law, arguing that delaying implementation was unnecessary because suitable verification tools are already available. She said the legislation is designed to ensure that children are better protected from online harms, including cyberbullying, harmful content, addictive platform algorithms and excessive screen time.

The move comes amid mounting concern across Europe over the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Researchers, child psychologists and policymakers have increasingly warned that prolonged exposure to social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, body image issues and online harassment among young users. Several studies have also highlighted how recommendation algorithms can expose children to inappropriate or harmful content within minutes of creating an account.

Despite broad political support, the legislation has not been without criticism. Some lawmakers and digital rights advocates questioned whether mandatory age verification could undermine user privacy by requiring people to submit sensitive personal information. Others argued that determined teenagers may still find ways to bypass the restrictions through virtual private networks (VPNs), borrowed accounts or other technological workarounds.

Experts also caution that restricting access to mainstream platforms could unintentionally drive some young users towards less regulated online spaces, where content moderation is weaker and potential risks may be even greater. Others worry the restrictions could reduce young people’s exposure to news, civic discussions and educational content available through social media.

France’s decision follows Australia’s introduction of one of the world’s toughest social media restrictions. Australia banned children under the age of 16 from social media in December 2025, but government data later showed that many underage users continued accessing platforms despite the ban. Australia’s eSafety Commission reported that around seven in ten children who had social media accounts before the restrictions still retained some level of access, highlighting the practical challenges of enforcing such laws.

Nevertheless, experts say Australia’s experience demonstrated that governments are increasingly willing to regulate children’s online activity. Professor Tama Leaver of Curtin University told the BBC that while Australia’s ban has struggled to achieve its technical objectives, it has shown that large-scale restrictions are possible. He added that France’s requirement for universal age verification may improve enforcement, although it also raises fresh privacy concerns.

France’s legislation reflects a broader shift across Europe. In the United Kingdom, former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for a similar ban on social media access for under-16s from January 2027, alongside proposals for optional overnight restrictions for older teenagers. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a continent-wide “social media delay” for children, signalling that the European Union could introduce new legislation on youth access to digital platforms in the coming months.