France's Parliament approved a landmark law on July 21, 2026 banning social media access for children under 15 years of age — making France the first European Union member state to enact such a strict digital age restriction. The law requires social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, etc.) to implement robust age verification systems. The legislation aims to protect children's mental health and online safety. Platform violations will attract significant fines. Australia had previously passed a similar law (November 2023) banning social media for under-16s. India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 requires parental consent for processing data of minors.
International
France Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Social Media for Under-15s; Parliament Approves Law on July 21, 2026
Key Points
- France's Parliament approved a landmark law on July 21, 2026 banning social media access for children under 15 years of age — making France the first European Union member state to enact such a strict digital age restriction
- The law requires social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, etc.) to implement robust age verification systems
- The legislation aims to protect children's mental health and online safety
- Platform violations will attract significant fines
- Australia had previously passed a similar law (November 2023) banning social media for under-16s
- India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 requires parental consent for processing data of minors
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• France: social media ban for under-15; Parliament approved July 21, 2026; first EU member state • Platforms must implement age verification; significant fines for violations • Australia precedent: similar law for under-16s (November 2023) • India: Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023; parental consent for minors' data processing
