- 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.
IN FULL
The countries set to follow France in banning social media for children
