French Parliament approves bill to ban children from accessing social media platforms

The French Parliament has finally approved a bill banning access to social media for minors under the age of 15. France is the first country in the European Union to pass legislation restricting minors’ use of social networks.

Media reports say the measure will take effect for new accounts from September 1, while it will apply to existing accounts from January 1, 2027. Responsibility for verifying users’ ages will fall on the platforms, with no penalties for minors or their parents.

The law aims to protect adolescents’ mental health, while excluding educational digital works and online encyclopedias from the ban.