July 21, 2026, 8:41 p.mJuly 21, 2026, 11:43 p.m
The parliament in Paris struggled for a long time over the ban and its design.Image: keystone
France is the first EU country to introduce a social media ban for children and young people under the age of 15. The parliament in Paris passed a corresponding law, which is supposed to take effect after the summer holidays, with a large majority. It is thus implementing a concern pushed forward by President Emmanuel Macron. “I had campaigned for it, now it has been decided: from the new school year, social networks will be banned for children under 15,” said Macron in response to the parliamentary decision.
The parliament in Paris had struggled for a long time over the ban and its design, and the European Commission had also objected to the Paris plans. An adapted legal text passed the two chambers of parliament in the afternoon before the parliamentary summer break.
According to France, the ban and age controls by the major social media platforms will take effect in two stages: from September 1st for newly set up accounts and from the beginning of 2027 for existing accounts. France wants age control platforms to use existing techniques, such as those that exist to access pornographic content. But critics doubt that France can persuade the platforms to take such a step on its own.
EU wants to prevent legal uncertainty
This was also where Brussels’ criticism began – imposing obligations was the role of the EU, it was said. A spokesman for the EU Commission explained that fragmentation into national systems, which could lead to legal uncertainty or weaken legal enforcement, must be prevented.
Several member states, including Spain, Greece and Austria, want to legislate a social media ban for minors up to a certain age. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) also announced that she wanted to introduce such a ban in Germany.
However, this is not easily possible for individual member states. Anyone who wants to technically enforce digital age limits can hardly avoid the large online platforms. Prescribing these rules and enforcing them is the sole responsibility of the EU Commission. And this is precisely where experts clarify what framework regulations for digital age limits could look like.
Implementation not so easy
France, Germany and other member countries should not impose any additional obligations on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Co. That would have to be decided at EU level. Whether and up to what age social media should be banned for minors could remain a matter for the national state – after all, the member states are allowed to impose regulations on their citizens. (sda/dpa)