France Bans Social Media for Under-15s; EU Warns TikTok on Child Safety

France has become the first EU country to ban social media for children under 15, while the European Commission simultaneously found that TikTok failed to protect minors' privacy under the Digital Services Act. Source: AP News, BBC

France's Social Media Ban

The French parliament approved the ban on July 21, 2026, with President Macron championing it as a flagship reform. The law will be implemented in two phases:

• From September 1, 2026, under-15s cannot create new social media accounts. Source: DW News
• By January 1, 2027, existing accounts for under-15s must be deleted. Source: Engadget

Age verification tools will be required, and mobile phones will be banned in high schools. Left-wing party France Unbowed opposed the bill, citing concerns over anonymity and enforceability. Source: NPR Critics point to Australia's experience, where 70% of children still access social media despite a ban. Source: BBC

EU's TikTok Probe

Separately, the European Commission issued preliminary findings that TikTok's default settings expose minors to cyberbullying and predatory behavior. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen stated, "A high level of protection should not be an opt-in; it should be the default." Source: The Verge TikTok could face fines up to 6% of global annual revenue if it fails to comply. Source: AP News TikTok said it would review the findings and continue to engage constructively. Source: CNA