France Bans Social Media for Minors Under 15

France has become the first European Union nation to prohibit social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for children aged under 15.

On Tuesday, both chambers of the French National Assembly voted decisively in favor of Bill 2610, known as “Protectors endangering a dangerous society,” aimed at safeguarding minors from online hazards. The Assemblée Nationale approved it with a 279-81 vote, while the Sénat followed with a supportive 243-2 vote.

“I’ve been dedicated to this initiative, and now it’s passed. Social media access for anyone under 15 will be banned starting the upcoming school year. Thank you to the MPs,” French President Emmanuel Macron shared on X. “Now, we await the Constitutional Council’s ruling, which will pave the way for this measure to take effect and enhance online safety for children.”

In his post, Macron included a brief video showcasing alarming social media content shared by minors, some relating to self-harm and eating disorders.

The legislation specifies that minors will not be allowed access to social platforms if it could “impair their physical, mental, or moral development.” However, there are exceptions for educational materials, which include:

• Online encyclopedias.
• Educational or scientific directories.
• Platforms for developing and sharing open-source software.
• Open-source digital projects for educational use.

The bill also proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and the Education Act, focusing on acknowledging and mitigating the harmful and addictive impacts of social media on young learners.

In a significant related case, some families in France have taken legal action against TikTok, citing the suicide of a teenager linked to damaging content on the platform.

“France is leading the charge in protecting children and teenagers in Europe,” President Macron stated. “We will continue this commitment.”

France’s Digital Minister Anne Le Enenf emphasized that implementing the ban is feasible because “age verification tools are already in place” and more are being developed.

“For the next four months, everyone in France will have to authenticate their age,” she informed reporters. “If you’re under 15, your account will be closed.”

This new regulation comes as several other Western nations are contemplating similar restrictions on minors’ access to social media. Australia, for instance, enacted a ban on access for children under 16 last November, and Indonesia has followed suit just recently.