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The Japan Times
France passes bill to ban social media for children under 15
The French legislature has approved a significant bill restricting access to social media for minors under 15 years of age. This decision, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to mitigate issues related to bullying, loneliness, and cognitive development among youth. The legislation calls for stricter age verification on social platforms and raises concerns about potential tensions with U.S. technology companies. Other European nations are considering similar measures, seeking a cohesive regulatory framework within the EU to protect children online.
MonitorConfidence: MediumShort term horizon
Published 22 Jul 2026, 01:45 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- France becomes the first major European country to ban social media for under-15s
- Legislation emphasizes the need for age verification by social media platforms
- Focus on safeguarding children's mental health in digital environments
- Macron cites isolation and bullying as key reasons for the legislation
- EU plans to propose a comprehensive rule after the summer break
Interesting facts
- Several other countries have shown interest in similar restrictions
- Macron's strong rhetoric against algorithms on American platforms reflects growing European skepticism
- The practical implementation of age verification remains a challenge