France agrees to ban social media for under-15s, joining global trend

France is set to become the first European nation to implement a "digital age of majority" by banning social media access for those under 15. This landmark agreement, reached by a joint committee of French senators and deputies, aims to shield minors from the detrimental effects of online platforms, including exposure to harmful content and cyberbullying. The legislation stipulates that access to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok will be prohibited for users under 15. Even on "complex platforms" such as YouTube, Roblox, and WhatsApp, which offer interactive features, commenting will be restricted to users aged 15 and above. French Minister for Digital Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, hailed the decision, stating, "France will be the first European country to introduce a digital age of majority to better protect our children online." The bill is expected to pass final votes in both houses of parliament on July 21 and, upon President Emmanuel Macron's promulgation, will take effect from the start of the new academic year in September. Platform operators will be required to verify the age of users for newly created accounts using non-forgeable documents like passports or bank cards. Digital certificates will be issued to users confirmed to be 15 or older, enabling them to authenticate their age when accessing apps. To prevent circumvention, the law restricts age verification to the device used by the minor, preventing parents from using their identification for their child's account. Non-compliance by platforms could result in fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue, as reported by Le Figaro. The legislation also extends to banning smartphone use in high schools, with existing laws already prohibiting them in primary and middle schools. This move follows a report released last September by a French National Assembly inquiry committee, which highlighted the risks associated with platforms like TikTok, citing the normalization of discriminatory content and its potential to trigger depression, suicide, and eating disorders in minors. The French government has consistently supported age restrictions on social media, with Minister Barrot emphasizing in January that the period before age 15 is crucial for creativity, learning, and self-formation, and children's minds should not be dominated by social media. France joins a growing list of over 20 countries worldwide that are raising the age threshold for social media access, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, and China, with several others, such as the UK, Turkey, and Germany, currently considering similar legislation.

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France will be the first European country to introduce a digital age of majority to better protect our children online.