French Parliament bans social media for minors under 15

The French Parliament passed a law on July 21 banning children under 15 from accessing social media services. The Senate approved the compromise bill with a 243 to 2 vote, and the National Assembly followed shortly after. The measure now awaits a review by the Constitutional Council before President Emmanuel Macron signs it into law.

The law aims to protect children from risks such as addiction, bullying, and abuse. Anne Le Hénanff, the minister delegate for digital sovereignty, stated that France is establishing a digital age of majority to improve online child protection. The ban is expected to affect platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, although lawmakers did not define the exact scope of the restriction.

The legislation follows a campaign by President Macron since 2017 to address online abuse linked to anonymity. While intended to target minors, the required age verification processes involve identity checks for all users, which has raised concerns regarding increased government oversight of internet users.