France becomes first EU country to ban social media for kids under 15

France has taken a significant step in protecting young users by becoming the first European Union nation to ban social media access for children under 15. The landmark legislation passed with a substantial majority in parliament, with 279 votes in favor and 81 against. Starting in September, children under the age of 15 will be prevented from creating new accounts on popular platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. Existing accounts will be blocked from January 2027. In addition to the social media ban, the new law also prohibits cellphones in high schools and mandates that social platforms implement age verification checks. President Emmanuel Macron hailed the legislation as a landmark moment, stating, "France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers." This move aligns with findings from France's public health watchdog earlier this year, which concluded that social media has detrimental effects on teenagers' mental health, particularly among girls. Macron has prioritized online child safety during the latter years of his presidency, making this ban one of his final major domestic reforms. However, the effectiveness of the ban faces scrutiny. Critics point to enforcement as the primary challenge, questioning the robustness of age-verification technology and the potential for children to circumvent the rules using methods like VPNs, fake birth dates, or assistance from older friends. Privacy campaigners also express concern that enhanced age checks could lead to greater personal data collection from users. Some argue that such bans might push young people toward less regulated platforms rather than reducing their overall online engagement. Maya Thomas, a legal and policy officer at Big Brother Watch, warned that "the global rollout of social media bans represents a serious threat to the freedom and privacy of millions of internet users across the world." She added that requiring sensitive ID or biometric information for access poses cybersecurity risks for all users, and suggested that governments should regulate companies directly rather than restricting users, citing Australia's experience where similar bans have been circumvented.

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France is leading the way in Europe when it comes to protecting our children and teenagers.