France Leads EU with New Social Media Ban for Kids Under 15

French lawmakers have enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting social media usage for children under 15, making France the first EU nation to implement such a restriction. The law, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to protect young minds from the potentially harmful effects of social media, especially as studies show children aged 12 to 17 spend over an hour daily on platforms like TikTok. The legislation will take effect at the beginning of the new school year in September and includes provisions to restrict advertising targeting children. While many parents support the ban, concerns remain about how effectively age verification will be enforced and its potential impact on children's access to educational content.

Key Details: • The law bans social media for children under 15 starting in September. • Advertising promoting social media to children will also be prohibited. • Age verification methods are still being discussed and need to be implemented. • The law is enforced by Arcom, the French audiovisual and digital communications regulator.