WORLD NEWS
France definitively adopts a bill restricting social-media access for under-15s
The French Senate’s explainer says that on 21 July 2026 both the Senate and the National Assembly adopted the compromise text on risks posed to minors by social networks. The core point is that services such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat may be targeted, while promulgation, decrees, and final implementation details still need to be checked.
What Changes
The Senate says the bill was considered definitively adopted after both chambers approved the compromise text on 21 July. It creates a mechanism to restrict under-15 access to certain social-network services provided by online platforms, with Arcom expected to monitor compliance.
Scope And Exceptions
The Senate explainer names services such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat as examples of platforms in view. It also describes exceptions for collaborative online encyclopedias, educational or scientific repositories, and open-source software development or sharing platforms. The Senate text includes a 1 September 2026 entry date and a four-month delay for existing accounts.
Practical Impact
For families and platforms in France, age verification, parental consent, account access, and regulator reporting can become operational requirements rather than broad policy talk. For the EU, the bill is also a test of how far member states can go while fitting national child-protection rules around the Digital Services Act.
What Is Not Final Yet
Definitive parliamentary adoption is not the same as completed promulgation and implementation. The exact platform list, age-verification method, treatment of existing accounts, and EU-law coordination still need to be checked in decrees and regulator or Commission procedures. The confirmed statement today is that Parliament adopted the compromise text.
Official sources
French Senate explainer: final adoption and target services
Senate legislative dossier: process and 21 July documents
National Assembly dossier: final-adoption stage and document status