France passes bill to ban social media use for children under 15

French lawmakers person approved a measure that would prohibition children nether 15 from utilizing societal media, a determination supported by President Emmanuel Macron to bounds surface clip and support young users. The National Assembly passed the measure aft an overnight debate, with 130 members voting successful favour and 21 against. The projected instrumentality volition present spell to the Senate for support earlier it tin travel into force. If passed, the instrumentality would marque France the 2nd state aft Australia to restrict societal media usage for minors. The measure besides includes a prohibition connected mobile phones successful precocious schools. President Macron welcomed the vote, calling it an important measurement to support children and teenagers.

He said young radical should not beryllium influenced oregon manipulated by online platforms. The authorities wants the rules to use from the commencement of the 2026 schoolhouse twelvemonth successful September for caller accounts. Existing accounts that bash not conscionable the property bounds would beryllium closed aboriginal successful the year. The European Commission said enforcement would beryllium connected EU rules and due age-verification systems. The measure excludes acquisition platforms and online encyclopaedias.