France Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

The French government has unveiled a proposal to ban social media platforms for children under the age of 15, a move that would make France one of the strictest Western nations in regulating youth access to online networks. Under the plan, children under 15 would be prohibited from creating accounts on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat without explicit parental approval, and those aged 15 and 16 would need consent from a parent or guardian. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to 4% of their global revenue. The proposal, which is expected to be debated in parliament later this year, stems from growing concerns over the impact of social media on children's mental health, sleep, and academic performance. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure, citing recent studies linking heavy use to anxiety and depression. Critics, however, warn that the law could infringe on privacy and free expression. The government plans to require age verification through official documents or other reliable methods, though details remain unclear. If passed, France would join countries like the United Kingdom and Australia in tightening online guardrails for minors. The debate touches on tradeoffs between child safety and digital rights, with tech companies likely to push back.