France Bans Social Media for Under-15s Starting September After Final Parliamentary Vote

The French Parliament has passed a final vote to ban social media for children under 15, effective September. The law requires platforms to verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors. Non-compliant companies face fines of up to 1% of global revenue. The measure aims to protect youth from online harms such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive screen time. France joins a growing number of countries implementing stricter age-based internet regulations, following similar moves in the UK and several US states. The law will be enforced by France's data protection authority, CNIL.

Global Impact

This legislation marks a significant step in the global trend toward stricter online child safety measures. Politically, it strengthens France's position as a leader in digital regulation, potentially influencing EU-wide directives.