France to impose ban on social media for children under 15 years old

France plans to ban the use of social media for children and adolescents under 15 years old. The restrictions will come into effect from the new academic year - September 1, 2026.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the corresponding bill has already been prepared and consists of two articles. The document provides for a ban "on the provision of social networking services by online platforms to minors under the age of 15."

It is noted that in December, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the need to ban access to social networks for children under 15-16 years old. According to him, mandatory age verification should be introduced in all social networks, and users who have not reached the established threshold will be denied access to the services.

Earlier, in November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution proposing to set the minimum age for registration on social networks at 16 years old, which could become a pan-European benchmark for such initiatives.