France has become the first European nation to enact legislation prohibiting children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. The law, which received support from both the French Senate and the National Assembly, mandates that users provide proof of age to access these services. Beginning this September, new account sign-ups will require verification, with the policy extending to all existing accounts by January 2027.
President Emmanuel Macron championed this initiative as a key achievement of his tenure. French authorities maintain that effective, safe age-verification technology is readily available, a point reiterated by Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff. However, critics have voiced concerns regarding potential privacy breaches and the technical challenges of preventing minors from bypassing these safeguards.
This French policy follows the approach taken by Australia, which implemented a ban for those under 16 late last year. Experts like Professor Tama Leaver of Curtin University note that while Australia’s ban demonstrated legislative intent, it has faced difficulties in practice, with many youths still finding ways to access platforms. Lessons from the Australian model suggest that incorporating youth voices into the policy-making process is essential for success.
Other nations are also considering similar restrictions. In the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged a comparable ban for under-16s starting in 2027. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is exploring potential EU-wide regulations to restrict social media usage among children. These global developments reflect a growing trend of governments attempting to address the impact of digital platforms on adolescent mental health and development.
