- France has become the first European Union country to approve a blanket ban on social media for children under 15, requiring platforms to enforce age checks from January 2027.
- This legislation follows Australia's landmark ban for under-16s last year, which set a global precedent, with over a dozen other countries now legislating similar restrictions.
- The bans aim to protect children's mental health and development by limiting exposure to addictive algorithmic feeds and harmful content, such as that related to self-harm or eating disorders.
- Countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Indonesia, and Malaysia have either implemented or are planning similar restrictions, while the UK also announced plans for a ban.
- Despite legislative efforts, concerns remain about the effectiveness of these bans, as a study in Australia suggested platforms have failed to implement effective age verification, allowing underage users to circumvent the rules.
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