With a decision that sets a precedent in Europe, France has finalized a law that removes the right of access to social platforms for all minors under the age of 15. This makes it the first member of the European Union to take such a categorical measure.
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After a decisive vote in the National Assembly, where the bill received 279 votes in favor and 81 against, the text now awaits only the assessment of the Constitutional Council to enter into force. President Emmanuel Macron has promised that its implementation will be a reality starting in September.
The new legal provisions stipulate that starting from September 1, no child under 15 can open a new profile on social networks. Moreover, all existing accounts belonging to this age group will be deactivated starting from January 2027.
The head of state himself hailed this achievement as a victory for the digital safety of the new generation. Through a post on platform X, Macron expressed gratitude to lawmakers for their support and underlined France’s leading role in Europe regarding strengthening the protection of minors online.
The Minister of Digitalization, Anne Le Hénanff, assured that the set calendar is entirely manageable, emphasizing that the technological tools for age confirmation are already functional and that the burden of implementing this measure will fall on the shoulders of the platforms themselves. She clarified that every user on French territory will go through an age verification process and that accounts of individuals under 15 will be deleted, while guaranteeing the integrity of personal data.
Another important point of the legislation concerns the ban on cell phones in middle schools, a rule expected to take effect with the start of the next school year. Also, the law does not provide penalties for minors or their parents, exempting educational websites and digital encyclopedias from the restrictions.
This radical decision arrives in a global context where more and more countries are setting limits on the uncontrolled access of adolescents to social media. The main concerns stem from the documented side effects on the psychological health of young users, with French health authorities pointing out that apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram pose serious risks, especially for teenage girls.
On the European level, pressure is mounting. The European Commission is analyzing the possibility of a common regulatory framework, a request strongly supported by states like France, Greece, and Spain. Recently, President Ursula von der Leyen defended the idea of a gradual approach for children to the digital world, while Brussels is already experimenting with a dedicated app for age verification.
On the international stage, around 20 states have launched or finalized similar measures. Earlier, Australia set the tone by becoming the first nation in the world to force tech giants to delete the profiles of users under 16, warning of heavy fines for violators of the new rules.
