France Moves Toward Banning Social Media Use for Children Under 15

France Moves Toward Banning Social Media Use for Children Under 15
——————
A French parliamentary reconciliation committee has approved a bill that would ban children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, as part of efforts to strengthen protections for minors against digital risks.

The final version of the legislation will be presented to the National Assembly and the Senate for further approval. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed hope that the measure could enter into force at the start of the next school year in September.

Under the proposed law, social media platforms would be required to implement reliable age-verification systems in accordance with standards set by France’s privacy protection authority. The Minister for Technology would also be responsible for preparing a list of platforms covered by the restrictions.

The bill also includes a ban on smartphone use in secondary schools, as part of broader efforts to reduce the impact of digital devices on students and improve the educational environment.

If approved, France would become one of the first countries to impose strict limits on children’s access to social media, following Australia’s adoption of similar measures. The move comes amid wider calls within the European Union for coordinated policies to protect children in the digital space.