The European Commission has affirmed that France has the legal right to prohibit access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15. This endorsement comes as the French National Assembly voted in favor of a landmark bill proposing such a ban.
European Commission Gives Green Light
On Tuesday, January 27, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated that French authorities are within their rights to establish a “digital majority” for their citizens. He emphasized that while major online platforms are obligated to comply with national legislation, ensuring the implementation and establishment of adequate age-verification systems falls under the Commission’s purview.
“If such a law is adopted in France and is compliant with European law, the Commission will ensure that the major platforms apply it,” Regnier added. He noted that several European countries, including France, are currently testing an age-verification application that could be utilized for this purpose, with the pilot program set to conclude by the end of the year.
A “Major Step” for Child Protection
The proposed law, adopted by French deputies overnight from Monday to Tuesday, aims to protect the mental health and well-being of adolescents. The measure has received strong backing from the government and President Emmanuel Macron, who hailed it as a “major step.”
“Because our children’s brains are not for sale. Not to American platforms, nor to Chinese networks,” President Macron declared on the social media platform X.
The bill, proposed by the Renaissance party, will now proceed to the Senate for examination “in the coming weeks,” according to Digital Minister Delegate Anne Le Hénanff.
Implementation Timeline and Global Context
If ultimately passed, France would become the second country to enact such restrictive legislation for minors, following Australia, which banned social media for users under 16 in early December.
The French government aims for a swift implementation:
- The ban would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year for new accounts.
- Effective age verification for all users, including existing accounts, would be required by January 1, 2027.
The move represents a significant policy shift in regulating children’s digital exposure and holding major tech platforms accountable.
