Why in News?
The French Parliament approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first EU country to enforce such a restriction.
Key Points
The law bans children under 15 from using major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
New account creation for under-15s will be blocked from September 1, 2026, and existing accounts will be closed from January 2027.
Social media platforms must verify users' ages using age-verification tools, including a dedicated app being tested by the European Commission.
The bill was passed by the National Assembly (279–81) after Senate approval, showing cross-chamber consensus.
Other countries which have banned social media for teens is as below:
Country | Age Limit | Date Passed / Enacted | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Australia | Under 16 | Nov 2024 | Dec 10, 2025 |
Malaysia | Under 16 | Nov 2025 | Jun 1, 2026 |
Indonesia | Under 16 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 |
Brazil | Under 16 | Mar 2026 | Mar 17, 2026 |
Greece | Under 15 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 |
Turkey | Under 15 | Apr 2026 | Late 2026 |
United Arab Emirates | Under 15 | Jun 2026 | Mid-2027 |
Portugal | Under 16 (Parental consent req.) | Feb 2026 | Feb 2026 |
Exam Connect
France → semi-presidential republic + President Emmanuel Macron + member of EU and G7 + capital Paris, currency Euro