Europe
A screen shows the result of a vote on the bill that aims to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, at the National Assembly in Paris, France, July 21, 2026. (Reuters/Abdul Saboor)
French lawmakers approved on Tuesday a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, as concerns grow around the world over the impact social media have on the health and safety of minors.France becomes the first in Europe to follow Australia, where the world's first ban for under-16s on platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came into force in December.
"France opens the way by being the first country in Europe to adopt a digital majority," Anne Le Hénanff, junior minister for AI, told senators.
Both houses of parliament – the Senate and National Assembly – adopted the ban on Tuesday.
