France became the first country in the EU to approve a ban on social media for under-15s
Other countries are already preparing similar measures: Spain is considering an age limit of 16, Austria — 14
France has become the first country in the EU to pass a law completely banning access to social networks for children under 15 years old; the bill was approved by both chambers of parliament and is considered one of the key changes of Emmanuel Macron’s second presidential term.
The decision is accompanied by additional restrictions: upper school grades will see a ban on mobile phone use, and the new rules are planned to be introduced from the start of the September school year, although the law must first be checked for constitutionality, which may delay the start, reports euronews.com.
The text was agreed jointly by deputies and senators within a mixed commission, with only the “Unbowed France” (LFI) party opposing, while members of the Socialist Party did not support the document and abstained from voting.
Opponents of the total ban insist that targeted controls over risky platform features would be more effective than blanket blocking for all minors; this idea is promoted by Socialist deputy Arthur Delaporte, who also refers to a similar approach by the European Commission.
Meanwhile other EU countries are preparing their own steps: Greece, Slovenia and Sweden are developing tools to protect children online, Spain is considering banning social networks for minors under 16, and Austria — under 14.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a model of gradual access: children under 13 use social networks only for limited periods and exclusively under the supervision of parents, guardians or teachers, and after reaching 13 access is expanded if platforms can demonstrate an adequate level of safety and age-appropriateness.
In addition, the Commission calls for a complete avoidance of screens for younger children, and official legislative proposals with new Europe-wide rules are announced for publication after the summer period.
Earlier we wrote:
- Dangerous challenges for children: the Rada proposes fining parents and school principals
- Turkey’s parliament approved a ban on social media accounts for children under 15
- Bullying disguised as a trend: a lyceum in the Mykolaiv region responded to humiliating videos of teachers on TikTok
- “Goodbye, TikTok”: France is preparing a digital guillotine for teenagers up to 15 years old
