France to Require Age Checks for Social Media

France has passed landmark legislation that will prevent children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms beginning in January 2027, making it the first European country to introduce a nationwide age-based restriction.

The law, approved by both the French Senate and National Assembly, requires all social media users in France to verify their age. French President Emmanuel Macron, who had promised the measure during his presidency, welcomed its adoption as part of broader efforts to improve children’s online safety and mental well-being.

The rollout will take place in two phases. From September, anyone under 15 will be prohibited from creating new social media accounts, and all new users will be required to complete age verification. Beginning in January 2027, the same verification process will extend to existing accounts, meaning every social media user in France will need to prove they are at least 15 years old.

Under the legislation, platforms must use age-verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator. Government officials argue that the necessary technology is already available and can be implemented without significant delays.

However, the law has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and some lawmakers, who question whether age-verification systems can effectively protect personal data or prevent young users from finding ways around the restrictions. Others have raised concerns that the rapid rollout leaves little time to address technical and legal challenges.

French Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff defended the accelerated timetable, saying reliable age-verification tools already exist and are ready for deployment.

France follows Australia, which introduced a ban on social media for children under 16 in late 2025. While Australia’s legislation marked a significant policy shift, many young people have continued accessing social media despite the restrictions. Australia’s eSafety Commission reported earlier this year that a majority of children who had accounts before the ban still retained some level of access.

Professor Tama Leaver, an internet studies expert at Curtin University in Australia, said the Australian experience demonstrated that while technical enforcement remains difficult, such policies show that governments are willing to regulate children’s access to social media. He added that France’s requirement for all users to verify their age could strengthen enforcement but may also increase privacy concerns.

Experts also warn that strict bans could encourage teenagers to move to less-regulated online platforms, potentially exposing them to greater risks while reducing their access to news and civic engagement.

France’s decision comes as governments across Europe continue to examine stronger protections for young internet users. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, are considering similar measures, reflecting growing concern about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and online safety.