In a pioneering move within the European Union, France has enacted a law to restrict social media access for children under 15. This legislative measure, which has been championed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to bolster online safety for younger users. Starting September 1, social media platforms will be obligated to prevent the creation of new accounts by individuals under the age of 15. Furthermore, by January 2027, all existing accounts held by this age group must be shut down, enforcing mandatory age verification procedures.
The onus of implementing this ban falls on the social media companies themselves. They will be tasked with setting up systems capable of verifying users’ ages while simultaneously ensuring that personal data is protected. Alongside these social media restrictions, the new law also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools commencing with the upcoming academic year, although educational resources such as online encyclopedias will not be subject to these limits.
Proponents of the legislation argue that it is a critical step in safeguarding children from the detrimental effects that excessive social media usage can have on mental health. However, the law has its detractors who express concerns over privacy issues, potential difficulties in enforcement, and the likelihood that children might circumvent age-verification protocols.
This legislative development in France aligns with broader international efforts to impose stricter regulations on children’s social media access. In parallel, the European Commission is exploring the possibility of implementing EU-wide measures for children’s online safety. To this end, a digital age-verification application is already undergoing trials in several EU member states.