France Considers Social Media Ban for Minors

France is poised to become the first member of the European Union to outlaw social‑media use for children under 15 if the proposed bill clears both the National Assembly and the Senate. The legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, would prohibit access to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat for anyone younger than 15, and would impose strict penalties on providers that fail to enforce the ban. The move follows similar restrictions enacted in Australia and Indonesia and comes ahead of a planned ban on smartphones in French high schools.

According to policy adviser Solange Mougin, the ban will be enforced through a combination of technical and administrative measures. Platforms will be required to implement robust age‑verification systems that cross‑check user data against government‑issued identification. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to €10 million and the revocation of operating licences. The law also mandates that all content be filtered for age‑appropriate material, and it establishes a national monitoring body to audit compliance and investigate violations. Schools will receive guidance on how to support students who may still access social media through family devices or other means.

If adopted, the legislation would take effect at the start of the next fiscal year, giving companies a 12‑month window to adapt their services. The French government has indicated that it will work closely with the European Commission to ensure the ban aligns with EU data‑protection standards. The bill’s passage would signal a significant shift in how European nations regulate digital media for minors, potentially prompting further debate across the bloc about the balance between child protection and digital rights.