EU Expert Panel Recommends Social Media Ban for Children Under 13
An EU expert panel, commissioned by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has recommended banning social media access for children under 13 across all 27 member states, with supervised use only. The report, delivered in Brussels, also targets AI bots and video games. France has separately enacted a law banning social media for minors under 15, becoming the first EU country to do so. Von der Leyen plans to propose EU legislation in September, while several member states pursue their own restrictions.
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France draws the line at 15: inside Europe’s first social media ban for children
France has become the first European Union nation to legislate a blanket ban on social media access for children under 15, following Australia's lead. The law, approved by the French National Assembly (279-81) and Senate, will roll out in two phases overseen by regulator Arcom. From September 2026, age verification will block new under-15 accounts; by January 2027, existing accounts must be closed. The ban excludes educational resources, prohibits advertising targeting children, and extends to mobile phones in high schools. President Macron stated 'The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale.' The legislation responds to concerns over pornography, cyberbullying, and algorithmic harm, with Arcom reporting children aged 12-17 spend 81 minutes daily on TikTok. Several French families have ongoing lawsuits against TikTok alleging harmful content contributed to suicides. Other countries including Austria, Spain, Brazil, and the UK are considering similar restrictions, ahead of expected EU-wide measures.
France Passes Social Media Ban for Under-15s, Leading Europe's Crackdown on Internet Freedom
France has become the first European Union member to pass a law banning social media for children under 15, following President Emmanuel Macron's advocacy after a fatal stabbing incident involving a 14-year-old. The legislation, passed by overwhelming margins in both parliamentary chambers, requires social media platforms to implement age verification systems to filter out underage users, with exceptions for educational services. The ban applies to existing accounts starting January next year, pending final approval from the Constitutional Council. Critics, including left-wing lawmakers, argue the law is constitutionally unclear, threatens online anonymity, and is unenforceable. The move is part of a broader global trend, with Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the UK, and Australia pursuing similar restrictions. The article warns that such measures normalize government control over online interactions and may lead to the end of the open internet, despite popular support for 'protecting children.'
France Passes Social Media Ban for Children Under 15, Leading European Crackdown
France has become the first European Union member to pass a law banning social media for children under 15, following President Emmanuel Macron's advocacy after a 14-year-old boy fatally stabbed a teaching assistant. The legislation, passed by overwhelming margins in both parliamentary chambers, also includes a high school phone ban and requires social media platforms to implement age verification systems. Exceptions apply to online encyclopedias and educational services. The ban will apply to existing accounts starting January next year, pending final approval from the Constitutional Council. The law has drawn opposition from left-wing party France Unbowed, which questions its constitutionality, enforcement feasibility, and impact on online anonymity. The move is part of a broader global trend, with Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the UK, and Australia pursuing similar restrictions. Critics argue that such measures normalize government control over online interactions and threaten the open internet, despite popular support for 'protecting children.'
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French lawmakers approve a sweeping social media ban for children under 15
French lawmakers have approved a sweeping ban on social media for children under the age of 15, making France the first European Union country to enact such a law. The legislation requires social media platforms to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors under 15. Platforms that fail to comply face significant fines. The move is part of a broader global trend toward restricting children's access to social media, driven by concerns over mental health, online safety, and data privacy. The law has been reported by multiple major news outlets including NPR, CBS News, CNN, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times.
France Bans Social Media for Minors Under 15, First EU Country to Do So
France has become the first European Union country to enact a law banning social media access for minors under the age of 15. The French parliament passed the legislation with a large majority, and it is scheduled to come into effect after the summer holidays. The law includes plans for age verification measures to enforce the ban. This move targets platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, aiming to protect young users from potential harms associated with social media use. The decision marks a significant step in digital regulation within the EU.
EU Expert Panel Recommends Social Media Ban for Children Under 13
An expert panel appointed by the European Commission has recommended a comprehensive social media ban for children under 13 across all 27 EU member states. The recommendation, announced on Monday in Brussels, covers not only platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok but also AI bots and video games under a broad 'social media plus' definition. The experts called for effective age verification systems but did not specify a particular model. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated she will evaluate the report and make a proposal after the summer break, reaffirming her plan for 'age-appropriate restrictions.' German Family Minister Karin Prien, who supports a minimum age of 13, welcomed the move. Experts emphasized that from age 13, young people should gradually gain access with safeguards, and advocated for 'safety by design' principles. The report follows similar recommendations from a German expert commission in June and has drawn positive reactions from German politicians, though some warned against outright bans.
EU Experts Recommend Social Media Ban for Children Under 13
An expert panel commissioned by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recommended restricting social media access for children under 13 across all EU member states. The report, presented in Brussels, proposes that children under 13 should only use social media under parental supervision or in educational settings with time limits. Von der Leyen called the report 'very convincing' and emphasized that 'social media is not a toy.' She plans to announce in September how the recommendations will be turned into EU law, requiring a legislative proposal to be debated by the European Parliament and the Council of 27 member states. Several EU countries, including Denmark, Spain, Greece, and France, are already planning their own social media bans. In Germany, Family Minister Karin Prien intends to present a draft law by year-end. The EU Commission has exclusive authority to enforce rules on major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, including imposing fines for violations.
EU Expert Panel to Deliver Verdict on Social Media Ban for Children
The European Union is considering whether to ban children from social media to protect them from harmful content. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen tasked an expert panel of doctors, academics, youth representatives, and parents to provide evidence-based recommendations, which are due on July 13, 2026. The EU has already pressured Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove addictive features. While some member states like Spain and France push for age limits (16 and 15 respectively), others like Estonia oppose a ban. The German expert panel suggested a minimum age of 13 or restrictions on specific harmful features rather than a blanket ban. Digital rights groups advocate for a 'safety-by-design' approach. The EU is expected to unveil a legal proposal this summer, though no final decisions have been made.