France has become the first European Union (EU) member state to impose a nationwide ban on social media access for children under 15 years of age

France has become the first European Union (EU) member state to impose a nationwide ban on social media access for children under 15 years of age

¨     France has become the first European Union (EU) member state to impose a nationwide ban on social media access for children under 15 years of age.

¨     The law applies to major social media platforms and requires them to implement age verification systems.

¨     The measure is part of France's digital regulation framework and will be enforced by Arcom, the country's audiovisual and digital communications regulator.

¨     The ban will be implemented in two phases:

¨     From 1 September 2026: Children under 15 will not be allowed to create new social media accounts.

¨     From January 2027: The restriction will also apply to existing accounts.

¨     The law provides exceptions for online encyclopedias, educational directories, and scientific directories.

¨     These platforms are treated separately from social networking services under the legislation.

¨     The new law builds on a 2023 French law that required parental consent for children under 15 to register on social media platforms.

¨     President Emmanuel Macron supported the legislation as part of his final-term policy agenda.

¨     French lawmakers cited concerns over children's mental health, including anorexia, depression, self-harm, and teenage suicides, as key reasons for introducing the law.

¨     Arcom has been given the responsibility to enforce the law and ensure that platforms implement effective age-check mechanisms.

¨     France is the first EU country to introduce such a nationwide restriction on social media access for children under 15.

¨     Arcom is France's audiovisual and digital communications regulatory authority.