France bans social media for under-15s, EU considers similar measures

France has become the first European Union member state to ban children under 15 from accessing social media, after the National Assembly overwhelmingly approved a bill championed by President Emmanuel Macron. The new law, which Macron had promised to enact before the end of his decade in office, requires platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to implement age verification systems. From September, anyone opening a new account will have to prove they are over 15. Existing accounts must be checked by January. Platforms that fail to comply face the risk of large fines. The law also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools.

Macron expressed his satisfaction in a video that showed imagery he described as dangerous to adolescents. He said France was "setting the pace in Europe" and hoped other countries would follow. However, doubts remain. Critics point to Australia, where a similar ban has not been fully effective, with many young people finding workarounds. Questions have also been raised about data protection issues linked to age verification and how the verification methods will function in practice. The French government insists the tools exist to implement the system and that there is a national consensus that the measure is welcome, given the established damage to adolescents' mental and psychological health.

Across Europe, governments are watching closely. The European Union itself is considering similar measures. A recent report from an expert panel on child safety online, set up by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stopped short of recommending a full-scale ban. Instead, it proposed a "phased and gradual access for different age ranges." The report recommends that children under 13 should have only very limited, supervised access, and that those aged 13 to 18 should experience a graduated approach with stricter obligations on platforms, such as safety by design and limits on features like infinite scrolling.

European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, said the evidence of harm is clear, with young people spending up to six hours or more on screens. He said the Commission intends to move swiftly and will bring forward proposed legislation in the autumn. A key element will be an EU-wide age verification system, for which technical work on an app has already been concluded. McGrath stressed that enforcement mechanisms, including potential fines, will be essential. He noted that many companies are already taking steps to improve child protection online, but added that voluntary compliance alone is not enough. The final shape of the legislation, including whether it will set a floor for member states to go further or create a common EU-wide system, remains to be decided by member states and the European Parliament.