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France Approves Ban on Social Media for Under-15s

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • France's Parliament has definitively approved a law prohibiting social media access for individuals under 15 years old.
  • This makes France the first European country to implement such a general restriction, with the government aiming for application at the start of the next school year.
  • The law also extends the ban on mobile phone use in middle and high schools.

France has taken a significant step in protecting its youth online, with Parliament definitively approving a law that prohibits access to social media for individuals under 15 years old. This landmark decision positions France as the first country in Europe to enact such a broad restriction, which the government intends to implement starting with the upcoming school year.

France opens the way in Europe to protect our children and adolescents. We are moving forward.

— Emmanuel MacronPresident of France, commenting on the parliamentary approval of the social media ban for minors.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed the decision, stating, "France opens the way in Europe to protect our children and adolescents. We are moving forward." He celebrated the parliamentary vote, noting it fulfilled one of his campaign commitments. The law now awaits a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be enacted. Macron emphasized that after this review, "it will be time to act to make this measure effective and protect our children on the internet."

The legislation passed the Senate with 243 votes in favor and two against, and was later ratified by the National Assembly with 279 votes for and 81 against, concluding months of parliamentary debate. The rule stipulates that minors under 15 will be barred from using social media services offered by digital platforms. Exceptions are made for online encyclopedias like Wikipedia and educational platforms. The responsibility for implementing age verification mechanisms will fall on the platforms themselves.

After, it will be time to act to make this measure effective and protect our children on the internet.

— Emmanuel MacronDescribing the next steps following the Constitutional Council's review of the law.

Furthermore, the law expands the existing prohibition on mobile phone use in educational institutions, extending it to middle and high schools. While schools may allow exceptions in their internal regulations, the general trend is towards stricter controls. The government plans for the ban to take effect on September 1 for new accounts, with existing accounts having a four-month grace period until January 1, 2027. The Minister Delegate for Digital Affairs, Anne Le Hénanff, highlighted France's pioneering role in establishing a digital age of 15 in Europe, noting that 15 other European countries, including Spain, are considering similar regulations.

France is pioneering in Europe by establishing a digital age of 15.

— Anne Le HénanffMinister Delegate for Digital Affairs, highlighting France's leadership in digital regulation for minors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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