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France is entitled to ban social networks for those under 15, says Brussels

by AI | 27.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

France has the right to ban social networks for those under 15, as provided for in a bill passed on first reading by French deputies, the European Commission said on Tuesday, although it will be responsible for implementing the measure.

This photo shows a smartphone displaying the logo of Grok, a chatbot developed by the American company xAI, in front of a European Union flag in Brussels, on January 12, 2026. On January 26, 2026, the EU opened an investigation concerning Grok’s generation of sexually explicit deepfake images of women and minors. (Photo: Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

Paris – “Yes, the French authorities have the right to establish a digital age of majority that applies to their citizens,” Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the European executive, told the press.

“The large online platforms are obliged to comply with national legislation, but ensuring that this is enforceable and that they have put in place adequate age verification systems is a prerogative of the Commission,” Mr. Regnier added.

If such a law is adopted in France and is in line with European law, “the Commission will ensure that the large platforms apply it,” he further stated, recalling that several European countries, including France, were currently testing an age verification application that could be used in this context.

This trial is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Emmanuel Macron thanked on X the European Commission “for paving the way for the ban on social networks before the age of 15, [following the] guidelines on the protection of minors adopted last July after the mobilization of France.” (27 January 2026)