France bans social media for children under 15

France is set to become the first European Union nation to ban social media for children under 15. A bill passed by the French parliament will prohibit new social media accounts for this age group starting September 1, coinciding with the new school year. Existing accounts will be subject to the ban from January 2027.

The initiative, conceived by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to curb various forms of misconduct. This move places France among a growing list of countries implementing restrictions on minors' social media access. Australia was the first to ban platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for children under 15. Indonesia and Malaysia have prohibited harmful applications for those under 16, while Brazil requires parental consent for users under 16. The United Arab Emirates also bans social media accounts for children under 15.

Several other European nations, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy, are reportedly considering similar legislation. Canada is also reportedly looking into enacting such bans. The widespread attention to protecting young people online highlights a global concern regarding the impact of social media on minors.