The Parliament of France has given its final approval to the rule that bans the use of social networks for minors under 15 years old, a measure that is expected to begin to be applied from September and will be gradually deployed until January 1, 2027.
"I committed to doing it and now it has been approved as law: social networks will be banned for minors under 15 years old starting from the next school year. I thank the legislators for their work," stated the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in a message published on social networks.
For her part, the Minister of Digital Affairs, Anne Le Hénanff, has highlighted that this is a pioneering measure that has "inspired numerous European partners," while also allowing "to inscribe the protection of minors" in digital environments among the priorities of the G7.
"This law marks a decisive stage: it protects the youngest more against the risks of social networks and sends a clear message to the platforms, which must now fully assume their responsibilities. Protecting our children is not an option. It is a responsibility. Today, France has chosen to act," she pointed out.
The Executive intends for the ban — initially proposed by the deputy of the Renaissance party, Laure Miller, although it has undergone slight adjustments — to come into effect with the start of the school year in September, although the Constitutional Council must pronounce on it first.
The text was validated the day before by a mixed commission of parliamentarians and has received final support in the National Assembly with 279 votes in favor, while the deputies of La France Insoumise have opposed it.
The proposal, which initially included a 'blacklist' of platforms, had to be revised after the European Commission warned in early July that some articles could violate the European Digital Services Regulation (DSA) by granting excessive powers to the French regulator.
The law does not detail what systems will be used to verify the age of users and leaves it to the platforms themselves to design their verification mechanisms. In addition, the implementation will be staggered: new accounts must undergo age checks from September 1, while existing ones will be subject to this obligation starting January 1, 2027.
The initiative, promoted by the Macron Government, also includes the prohibition of using mobile phones in high schools, specifically in the baccalaureate courses. At the same time, educational centers will be required to develop awareness campaigns about the responsible use of technology and the digital environment.