France to Ban Social Media Use for Children Under 15 Starting in 2026

The French government has announced a plan to ban social media use for children under the age of 15 starting in 2026. This initiative is aimed at protecting minors from potential online dangers and promoting greater child safety across digital platforms.

Key Details of the Proposal

• The ban will specifically target social media platforms and restrict access for users under 15 years old.
• The law will require social media companies to verify the age of users in France, with penalties for non-compliance.
• The current minimum age of 13 will be raised to 15, reflecting concerns over vulnerabilities experienced by younger users.

Rationale Behind the Ban

The government and experts have cited several reasons for the move, including:

1. Reducing exposure to cyberbullying, misinformation, and privacy risks.
2. Encouraging healthier online behaviors among minors.
3. Addressing evidence that early social media use may adversely affect children’s mental health and development.

Implementation and Support

To enforce the ban effectively, the French government plans to:

• Collaborate with social media companies to develop technical age verification systems.
• Impose significant fines on platforms that fail to verify user ages properly.
• Enhance educational programs aimed at improving digital literacy for young people.
• Engage parents and educators in discussions to balance protection with children’s digital rights.

Broader Context and Impact

This initiative is part of a broader European effort to improve online safety for children, aligning with measures such as the Digital Services Act. If approved, France will lead as one of the first European nations to set the minimum social media user age at 15, potentially influencing other countries concerned about youth safety online.

Stay tuned for more updates on this significant development in children’s digital rights and protections.

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