France Becomes First European Nation to Ban Social Media for Under-15s
New Delhi, July 24, 2026 Amid growing global concerns over the impact of social media on the mental health and safety of children, France has approved a landmark law restricting social media access for users under the age of 15. The decision makes France the first European country to introduce such a ban, following Australia's similar move, and highlights the increasing focus on creating a safer digital environment for young people. The French Senate and National Assembly passed the legislation on Tuesday, paving the way for its implementation before the next academic year. Under the new law, children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to create social media accounts from September 1, while platforms will be given an additional four months to remove existing accounts. Social media companies will also be required to introduce age verification systems approved by France's privacy regulator. Anne Le Hénanff, junior minister for AI, said, “France opens the way by being the first country in Europe to adopt a digital majority.” While major social media platforms have generally opposed blanket bans, arguing that they already have measures to safeguard younger users, they have also stated they will comply with government regulations where such laws are introduced. At the same time, the European Commission is working on broader rules aimed at strengthening online protections for children across Europe and will assess whether France's legislation aligns with existing European laws. Highlighting the purpose behind the move, President Emmanuel Macron said, “We left you in this jungle and it robbed you of your attention. We need to slow down and help you become adults, and above all citizens.” He further added, “That’s why what we want to do is say that before 15 years old, no more social media.” The legislation marks a significant step in France's efforts to promote responsible digital use and provide stronger safeguards for children in the online world.
