22.07.2026 00:31
France has become the first European Union country to ban social media use for those under 15, taking a historic step to ensure children's safety in the digital world. The bill, passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, is expected to come into effect after the Constitutional Council process.
The bill passed in the French Parliament was approved with 243 votes to 2 in the Senate and 279 votes to 81 in the National Assembly. With the regulation supported by President Emmanuel Macron, the "digital age of majority" in the country was set at 15. In his assessment of the issue, Macron stated that children are left alone on social media, saying, "We left you alone in this forest, and it stole your attention. From now on, no social media before the age of 15."
BAN BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
The government aims to have the law ready by the start of the new academic year. The planned implementation schedule will proceed as follows:
New Accounts: Starting September 1, 2026, individuals under 15 will be banned from opening new social media accounts.
Existing Accounts: A 4-month transition period will be granted to platforms for users who already have accounts. As of January 1, 2027, existing accounts will also undergo an age verification process, and accounts of users under 15 will be closed.
WHICH PLATFORMS ARE COVERED BY THE BAN?
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat that offer user interaction, comments, following, and community-building features are directly targeted by the law.
YouTube and WhatsApp: Video watching or direct messaging functions will be exempt from the ban; however, the social network-like commenting and sharing features of these platforms may fall under the regulation.
Exemptions: Online encyclopedias, educational content sites, and open-source software sharing platforms are exempt from the ban.
AGE VERIFICATION RESPONSIBILITY WILL LIE WITH PLATFORMS
Minister for Digital Affairs Anne Le Henanff stated that the responsibility for age verification will rest entirely with social media companies. To protect personal data, France aims to use third-party trusted verification systems (such as Docaposte or France Identité). In these systems, user information will not be shared with the platform; only a binary response of "Yes" or "No" will be provided regarding whether the user is over 15.
CELL PHONE BAN ALSO EXTENDED TO HIGH SCHOOLS
The existing cell phone ban in primary and middle schools will be expanded to include high schools starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. This aims to increase students' focus during lessons by preventing cell phone use within school premises.
FEASIBILITY AND PERSONAL DATA DEBATES
Although the law is enacted with the aim of protecting children's mental health and preventing cyberbullying, it has drawn harsh criticism from the opposition. Critiques focus on points such as users being able to bypass the ban using VPNs, the system potentially turning into an identity verification requirement for all citizens, and the technical infrastructure not yet being fully clarified.
Despite all the debates, this step taken by France serves as a technical and legal test for the European Union, which is considering similar regulations on its agenda.