France and the European Union propose new restrictions on social media access for minors

A French parliamentary reconciliation committee has drafted a bill to ban social media access for individuals under 15, aiming for implementation by September. The legislation requires platforms to implement age-verification systems approved by the French privacy regulator and includes a prohibition on smartphone use in high schools. Separately, the European Commission is developing a broader, EU-wide strategy to protect minors online, as announced by President Ursula von der Leyen. While France is pursuing a strict age-based ban, the European Commission is considering an age-tiered system that may permit limited access for children under 13 under adult supervision. The French bill is scheduled for debate in the Lower House and Senate. The European Commission plans to present a detailed proposal after the summer, possibly during the annual address to the European Parliament in September. Both initiatives seek to address online risks, with France following the precedent set by Australia's recent social media legislation for those under 16.