France to Fully Block Social Media for Those Under 15, Introducing Europe’s First 'Digital Majority'

[Financial News] France has passed a bill that, in principle, bans social media use for teenagers under 15, taking the toughest step in Europe to regulate young people online. After Australia, it has become another country to restrict minors' social media use by law.
According to Le Monde on the 21st (local time), the French Senate and the National Assembly of France overwhelmingly approved the bill that restricts social media use for teenagers under 15.
The bill will take effect on September 1, when the new school year begins. As a result, teenagers under 15 will not be able to create new social media accounts, and platform operators must begin procedures to close existing accounts.
Operators will be given a four-month grace period to clean up accounts. During that time, they must also introduce an age-verification system approved by France's data protection watchdog.
Anne Le Henanff, the minister in charge of artificial intelligence, told the Senate, "France has become the first country in Europe to introduce a 'digital majority' system," adding that it was "an important turning point for protecting young people from online risks."
President Emmanuel Macron also said on X, "The promised bill has passed," and added, "From the new school year, social media use by teenagers under 15 will be banned."
He went on to stress, "The Constitutional Council review process still remains," and "once final approval is given, we will fully implement measures to protect children in online spaces."
In France, the Constitutional Council reviews whether laws passed by parliament violate the constitution before they take effect.
Social media companies have opposed a blanket ban, saying they already operate age restrictions and safety features. However, they say they will comply once each country's relevant laws take effect.
The European Union (EU) is also preparing stronger social media regulations to protect young people. The European Commission (EC) plans to review whether France's new law conflicts with EU digital rules.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter