France: Social Media Ban for Under-15s Faces Obstacles
The French government wants to limit social media access for young people under the age of 15. This measure, initially planned for the start of the school year in September, aims to protect the mental health of minors and combat cyberbullying. However, this ambitious project is currently facing major difficulties that could delay its implementation.
The law requires digital platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, to verify the age of their users. For adolescents under 15, parental consent becomes mandatory. For French authorities, this is a matter of public health in the face of screen addiction risks and exposure to inappropriate content.
Yet, implementing this ban is technically complex. It is difficult to reliably verify users' ages without collecting a significant amount of personal data. Furthermore, the European Commission has expressed reservations about the method chosen by France, fearing it may not comply with European digital market rules.
Companies in the digital sector are also hesitant to implement these changes quickly. For their part, some education experts believe that a simple ban is not enough. They suggest strengthening media education in schools to teach young people how to use digital tools responsibly and critically.
For now, the future of this measure for September remains uncertain. If the government maintains its intention to act quickly, it must first resolve the legal and technical issues raised by Europe and industry professionals. The debate over the role of social media in the lives of adolescents remains a major societal issue in France.