Why is France accelerating a social media ban for children?
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to fast-track legislation that would ban children under the age of 15 from using social media, aiming to enforce the rule before the next school year begins in September. He stated that the minds and emotions of children should not be treated as commodities or manipulated by powerful foreign algorithms.
Macron also confirmed the government’s intention to ban mobile phones in high schools, describing the move as a clear and unified rule for students, parents, and educators alike.
Who is leading the proposal and what changes are planned?
The initiative is being led by Laure Miller, a lawmaker from Macron’s Renaissance party. She emphasized that current systems allow users to enter any date of birth, giving minors unrestricted access to social platforms.
France plans to strictly enforce the European Digital Services Act (DSA), requiring platforms to introduce genuine age verification. Under this approach, users would need to prove whether they are above or below 15 before accessing social networks.
While acknowledging that loopholes will always exist, Miller argued that France must take decisive action to better protect minors online.
How does this fit into a global trend?
France’s announcement follows similar moves in other Western countries. In December, Australia introduced the world’s first nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16. Shortly after, the UK government said it was considering comparable measures to improve online safety for young people.
What has happened since Australia enforced its ban?
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reported that more than 4.7 million social media accounts believed to belong to under-16s were deactivated or removed following the law’s implementation.
Albanese said the decision responded to mounting evidence of social harm and to appeals from parents and young people who wanted more space to grow up without constant online pressure.
On the eve of the ban, he addressed teenagers directly, encouraging them to spend time on sports, music, and reading instead of social media.
Which platforms are restricted in Australia?
The ban covers major platforms including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Reddit, and streaming services Kick and Twitch. Children under 16 are unable to create new accounts, and existing profiles have been disabled.
Services such as YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp were excluded, as they were not classified as social networks. Minors can still view content on platforms that do not require an account.
How is the ban being enforced?
Enforcement targets technology companies rather than families. Platforms face fines of up to A$49.5 million for serious or repeated violations and must take reasonable steps to prevent underage access.
Approved methods include government ID checks, biometric verification, and behavioral age estimation. Platforms are not allowed to rely on self-declared ages or parental confirmation alone.
What challenges and reactions have emerged?
In the days before the ban, many teenagers searched for alternative apps or used VPN services to bypass restrictions, although this activity later returned to normal levels.
Teen reactions have been mixed. Some said the ban made them feel freer, while others reported little change, continuing to use social media through shared accounts or false birthdates.
What criticism has the policy faced?
Critics warn that age verification technologies can be inaccurate, particularly for teenagers, and raise concerns about large-scale data collection and privacy risks.
Others argue that the limited scope of the ban weakens its effectiveness, as gaming platforms, dating sites, and some AI chat services remain outside the rules.
Why do governments say these measures are necessary?
A 2025 Australian study found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media, with most encountering harmful content, cyberbullying, or inappropriate contact. Officials argue that platform design actively amplifies these risks.
France and other countries view strict age limits and verification as essential tools to strengthen child protection in an increasingly digital world.