France Joins Global Movement With Social Media Ban for Under-15s

France has become the first country in the European Union to approve legislation restricting social media access for children under the age of 15, joining a growing global movement aimed at tightening protections for young users online. The law, passed by the French Parliament on Monday, requires social media companies to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before allowing children under 15 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms that fail to comply could face significant financial penalties under France's digital regulations. The legislation is expected to take effect after regulatory and technical implementation measures are completed.

The measure follows similar action taken or proposed in several countries, including Australia, Norway, Spain and a number of U.S. states, where governments have debated stricter age verification requirements and expanded parental controls. French officials said the legislation is intended to reduce children's exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation and excessive screen time, while encouraging technology companies to assume greater responsibility for protecting minors. Critics of the legislation have questioned how age verification systems will protect user privacy and whether determined children may still find ways to bypass restrictions.