France is preparing to ban children under 15 from using social media, making it the first country in Europe to enact such a measure. The new law also prohibits mobile phone use in schools and imposes stricter advertising rules on social media platforms, according to the Associated Press.
French regulators have identified age verification as one possible way to ensure users meet the minimum age requirement, although the exact system social media companies must adopt has yet to be determined. That responsibility could ultimately fall to ARCOM, the country’s digital communications regulator, which will oversee enforcement of the ban.
The new restrictions could be implemented within months. After Parliament approved the legislation, President Emmanuel Macron called for it to be enforced by the beginning of the school year in September. CNN reported that he had previously asked lawmakers to accelerate the vote.
France is ahead of several countries that are considering similar policies. The United Kingdom has discussed a ban and already enforces age verification under the Online Safety Act. Denmark is close to adopting its own restrictions, while Canada introduced legislation in June that would ban social media for children aged 16 and younger.
Although more countries are introducing social media bans for children, studies suggest enforcement remains a challenge. Research published found that many Australian children continued accessing social media after the country’s ban took effect, with researchers citing weak age verification measures. Early issues reported with Roblox’s age verification system also illustrate the technical obstacles France may encounter.
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