France passes law banning under-15s from social media

France has passed a law requiring social media platforms to verify the age of all users starting in January, effectively banning individuals under 15 from using these services. This move makes France the second country to implement such a ban, following Australia's similar legislation for under-16s. French Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff stated that existing age-verification tools justify the law's swift implementation. However, concerns have been raised regarding privacy, the effectiveness of these tools, the potential for young people to circumvent them, and the rapid introduction of the ban. Australia's experience suggests that such bans may not fully prevent underage access, with many children reportedly retaining some access to social media platforms despite the prohibition.

France has enacted a ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 15. This new regulation is set to take effect on September 1st. The decision by France follows similar actions taken by the United Kingdom and Australia, which have also implemented broad restrictions on social media access for younger age groups. The article does not specify the reasons behind France's decision beyond referencing the moves of other countries.