By Ayomide Otitoju
As France edges closer to banning social media use for children under 15, the European Union is considering whether the bloc should adopt similar measures.
The move follows Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, which came into effect last year and is already facing legal challenges. Brussels is monitoring the policy’s impact before deciding on a wider European approach.
France’s lower house of parliament this week passed a bill prohibiting social media access for under-15s, pending approval by the Senate. The country has been pushing for EU-wide action alongside Denmark, Greece, and Spain, but chose to move independently after months of negotiations.
At the EU level, existing regulations already govern digital platforms, with ongoing investigations into the effects of apps such as Instagram and TikTok on children. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a minimum age limit but is awaiting expert recommendations from a consultative panel expected to be established early this year.
“We’re leaving all doors open. We will get feedback, and then we will take potential future decisions in this regard,” Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said. The panel is intended to advise on measures to better protect children online.
The European Parliament has previously called for a ban on under-16s, while countries including Malaysia, Norway, and New Zealand are also considering similar restrictions.
France is not alone in taking early action. Five EU member states are testing an age-verification app designed to prevent children from accessing harmful content online. Regnier said the tool, expected by year-end, would help enforce national rules across the bloc.
Under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), regulators can require platforms to modify features to safeguard minors. Paul Oliver Richter, an affiliate fellow at the Bruegel think tank, noted the DSA allows the EU to influence how children interact with social media.
The EU launched investigations into TikTok and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram in February and May 2024 over concerns that platforms may not adequately protect young users from harmful content, including the so-called “rabbit hole” effect, where algorithms can expose children to progressively extreme material.
Nearly two years on, preliminary findings from the probes are expected in the first half of this year. “Work is heavily ongoing,” said Regnier, adding that while some investigations require more time, all cases will eventually be closed.
