Chicago – July 23, 2026
French lawmakers have approved sweeping legislation that would ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms without verified parental consent, marking one of Europe’s toughest measures aimed at protecting minors online. The bill requires social media companies to introduce reliable age-verification systems and parental authorization before allowing users under 15 to create accounts. Platforms that fail to comply could face significant financial penalties. Supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to shield children from cyberbullying, harmful content, online predators and the mental health risks associated with excessive social media use.Â
Critics, however, warn that mandatory age verification could raise privacy concerns and prove difficult to enforce effectively. The legislation will now move to the next stage of the legislative process before becoming law, with technology companies expected to adjust their systems to meet the new requirements. France hopes the measure will encourage broader European action on online child safety and digital regulation.
