France moves closer to social media ban for children under 15 — but houses divided on details

French senators approved a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15, but it differs from the National Assembly’s version and must be reconciled before advancing.

The debate is tied to broader EU discussions on age verification, minimum digital ages, and parental consent rules.

France’s move could set an important precedent for how European countries regulate children’s access to social media.

The issue also raises questions about platform compliance under the Digital Services Act and how age checks would be enforced.