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Paris. Taking a big step regarding the online safety of children, France has approved a strict law on the use of social media by children below 15 years of age. With this decision, France has become the first country in the European Union (EU) to impose a legal ban on underage children creating accounts on social media platforms.

Final approval received from Parliament

Both houses of the French Parliament have approved this bill. First the Senate passed it, after which it was also approved in the National Assembly with 279 votes in support and 81 votes against.

President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the decision, saying it was an important step towards ensuring the digital safety of children and adolescents. He expressed the wish that this law should come into force before the new academic session, i.e. from September 1.

What are the main provisions in the law?

Under the new law, it will be prohibited for children below 15 years of age to create a new account on social media platforms. Apart from this, already existing accounts of this age group will also be closed by January 2027.

It will be mandatory for social media companies to verify the age of users. For this they will have to use reliable age-verification technology.

Responsibility will be on companies

France’s Digital Minister Anne Le Henaff said that the technology for age verification is already available and work on the remaining technical arrangements is also underway. He clarified that it will be the responsibility of social media companies to implement this law.

The government also says that during the age verification process, full care will be taken of the personal information and data security of the users.

Which services will get exemption?

Educational websites, online encyclopedias and scientific platforms have been excluded from the scope of the law. Also, if a child or his parents do not follow the rules, there is no provision for any punitive action against them.

Why was this step taken?

This law has been brought in France at a time when there is constant concern about the mental and social impact of social media on teenagers.

France’s public health agency warned in its report last year that platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat could have a negative impact on the mental health of teenagers, especially girls.

According to the report, about 90 percent of teenagers in the age group of 12 to 17 years access the internet daily through smartphones. At the same time, one out of every two teenagers is active on smartphones for two to five hours every day.

France became an example in EU

After the implementation of this law, France will be the first country in the European Union to decide to impose such a comprehensive legal ban on social media use by children under 15 years of age. However, some of its provisions will be reviewed by the European Commission for compatibility with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).