France votes to ban social media for children under 15

French lawmakers have approved a ban on social media for children under the age of 15, making France the first country in the European Union to adopt such a measure. Children will be barred from platforms deemed harmful and will need parental permission to access other social networks.

The measure was approved on Tuesday and is due to take effect on September 1, at the start of the new school year. The Constitutional Council must review the legislation before it can be implemented.

“I made a commitment, and it has now been approved: social media will be banned for children under 15 at the start of the school year,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement. “Thank you to the lawmakers.”

Under the legislation, the government will create a list of platforms whose content or recommendation systems are considered capable of harming the physical, mental or moral development of children. Those under 15 will be prohibited from accessing platforms on the list.

Other social networks will be allowed only with the express permission of a parent or legal guardian, who can set limits on the type of content, daily usage and hours of access. Permission can be withdrawn at any time.

Online encyclopedias, educational and scientific directories, and platforms used to develop and share open-source software will be exempt. France’s audiovisual and digital regulator will oversee enforcement and age-verification systems.

The rules will apply immediately to accounts created on or after September 1. Platforms will have four months to apply them to existing accounts.

The bill also extends restrictions on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices to high schools, with schools responsible for establishing exceptions in their internal rules.

Similar legislation has been adopted by Australia, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Spain, Denmark and Greece are also preparing similar measures.