France clears path for under-15 social media ban

France has moved to sharply restrict children’s access to social media after lawmakers approved legislation that would bar users under 15 from creating or holding accounts without verified parental consent, marking the most far-reaching national intervention of its kind in Europe.

The bill, passed by the National Assembly after months of debate over online harms, places legal obligations on major platforms to prevent under-age access and to implement robust age-verification systems. Companies that fail to comply face escalating penalties, including fines linked to global turnover and, in extreme cases, temporary service restrictions.

Government ministers framed the measure as a public health response to mounting evidence linking excessive social media use to anxiety, sleep disorders, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content among adolescents. The legislation positions France at the forefront of European efforts to regulate children’s digital lives at a time when voluntary safeguards by platforms have drawn criticism for weak enforcement.

Under the new framework, accounts for users aged 13 and 14 would be permitted only with explicit parental authorisation, while children under 13 would be barred outright. Platforms will be required to delete accounts found to be in breach and to block re-registration. The law also mandates clearer reporting channels for harassment and harmful material, alongside transparency requirements on how recommendation algorithms affect minors.

Officials argue that the bill responds to a clear regulatory gap. While European Union rules already restrict data processing for children and set minimum ages for consent, enforcement has largely been left to companies. France’s approach shifts responsibility decisively onto platforms, compelling them to prove compliance rather than relying on self-declared ages by users.

Lawmakers describe the move as a decisive step to shield children online, a phrase echoed repeatedly during parliamentary debates as supporters cited testimony from paediatricians, psychologists and educators. These experts warned that unchecked exposure to addictive design features and viral content can distort attention spans and social development during formative years.

The bill’s passage follows a series of national initiatives targeting the digital environment of minors. France has previously tightened controls on influencers marketing to children, limited advertising around youth content, and backed school-based programmes promoting digital literacy. Taken together, the measures signal a broader policy shift that treats online platforms as environments requiring the same safeguards as physical spaces frequented by children.

Technology companies have raised concerns about the feasibility of reliable age verification without intruding on user privacy. Industry representatives argue that verifying ages at scale risks collecting sensitive identity data, potentially exposing users to new security threats. Lawmakers counter that privacy-preserving solutions already exist, including third-party verification tools that confirm age without storing personal details.

Civil liberties groups remain divided. Some warn that overly strict controls could push teenagers towards less regulated corners of the internet, while others say the law could set a precedent for broader content controls. Supporters respond that the objective is not censorship but the creation of age-appropriate boundaries, comparable to restrictions on alcohol or gambling.

France’s move is being closely watched across Europe, where governments have struggled to balance child protection with free expression and innovation. Several countries are exploring similar paths, from mandatory parental consent regimes to outright bans on certain features for minors, but none has yet enacted a nationwide rule with penalties as explicit as France’s.

The timing also intersects with wider regulatory pressure on technology firms. As authorities scrutinise algorithmic amplification, data practices and online safety, children’s access has emerged as a politically resonant issue that cuts across party lines. The French bill drew support from both the governing coalition and opposition lawmakers, reflecting a rare consensus on digital policy.