France Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

France has become the first country in the European Union to approve a sweeping ban on social media for children under the age of 15, taking a landmark step to protect young users as concerns grow worldwide over the impact of digital platforms on children's mental health and well-being.

The legislation was passed by both chambers of the French Parliament on Tuesday, making it one of the flagship initiatives of President Emmanuel Macron's second term. The move comes amid increasing global debate over issues such as screen addiction, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and the overall effect of excessive social media use on children.

Under the new law, children under 15 will not be allowed to use social media platforms, making France the first EU nation to introduce such a blanket restriction. The decision is expected to put greater responsibility on technology companies to strengthen age verification systems and ensure that minors are prevented from accessing their platforms.

The legislation also includes another major reform by banning the use of mobile phones in high schools. French authorities believe reducing smartphone use during school hours will help improve students' concentration, encourage face-to-face interaction and create a healthier learning environment.

Supporters of the law have welcomed it as a significant step toward improving online safety and protecting children's mental health. However, experts say its success will largely depend on how effectively social media companies implement age checks and enforce the new rules.

With governments around the world exploring stricter regulations on digital platforms, France's latest move could become a model for other countries looking to strengthen protections for children in the online world.