International

IIE DIGITAL: France has approved a landmark law banning children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, becoming the first European country to introduce such a restriction. The new rule, which will come into effect from January 2027, aims to protect young users from potential risks linked to excessive social media use and its impact on mental health.

The legislation was passed by both the French Senate and National Assembly despite criticism from some opposition voices. Under the new system, all social media users in France will have to verify their age before accessing platforms, making age confirmation mandatory for both new and existing accounts.

The implementation will take place in two phases. From September, users below 15 will not be allowed to create social media accounts, and new users will need to complete age verification. From January 2027, the requirement will extend to all existing accounts, meaning every social media user in France must prove they are above the age limit.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the move, which was one of his key commitments as he approaches the end of his decade-long presidency. The government has argued that reliable age-verification technology is already available and can be used to enforce the restrictions effectively.

According to the law, social media platforms will have to adopt age-checking systems approved by France’s privacy regulator. However, the decision has sparked debate over privacy concerns, the effectiveness of verification technology and the possibility of young users finding ways to bypass the restrictions.

Critics have also questioned whether a complete ban can truly prevent teenagers from accessing social media. France’s move follows Australia, which introduced a similar ban preventing children under 16 from using social media platforms.

Australia’s experience has highlighted the challenges of enforcing such restrictions. Despite the ban, many young users have reportedly continued accessing social media through various methods. Experts have described the policy as an experiment that proves restrictions are possible but also shows the difficulty of completely controlling online behaviour.

Internet studies experts have warned that strict bans could push young people towards less-regulated online spaces, limit their access to news and reduce opportunities for social participation. They have also stressed the importance of involving teenagers in discussions about digital safety rather than simply imposing restrictions on them.

The debate over children’s social media access is gaining momentum across Europe. The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce restrictions for under-16s from 2027, while European Union leaders are also considering measures aimed at delaying children’s access to social media.

With France’s new law, the country has taken one of the strongest steps yet in regulating children’s online activities. While supporters see it as a major move towards protecting young users, questions remain over privacy, enforcement and whether such bans can successfully balance online safety with digital freedom.