The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it is continuing its assessment of France’s proposed law banning social media access for children under the age of 15, as it examines whether the measure complies with European Union law.
In Paris, a source close to the matter said Brussels’ opinion is expected “within the next few hours” or “the coming days.”
Based on the guidance received so far, the opinion is expected to confirm that the bill is “feasible,” while providing “very precise” recommendations aimed at helping lawmakers reconcile the different versions adopted by the French National Assembly and the Senate.
The French government notified the European Commission of the proposal in early June. The Commission is required to deliver its opinion by July 10.
Politically, “we are, of course, fully aligned with the French authorities in the desire to do more to protect minors online,” said Thomas Regnier, the European Commission’s spokesperson for digital affairs.
“This is both an objective and an absolute priority for the European Commission, and clearly also for the French authorities,” he added.
Legally, however, “it is essential to ensure” that any national legislation complies with EU law, Regnier said, stressing that this is precisely the assessment currently being carried out by the Commission.
“Good news”
National legislation must not fragment the EU’s single market or overlap with the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU regulation governing online platforms.
The DSA already imposes a range of principles and obligations on digital platforms, with enforcement overseen by the European Commission, the spokesperson noted.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his government hope to ban social media access for children under 15 from the start of the next school year through legislation currently making its way through Parliament.
The original version of the bill, approved by the National Assembly, proposed a broad ban applying to any “online social networking service provided by a platform.”
The Senate later amended the proposal by introducing a two-tier system, despite government warnings that the changes could conflict with EU law.
According to the source close to the matter, Brussels is expected to support that assessment.
“The Commission is likely to indicate that the version adopted by the Senate is probably not compatible with European legislation, whereas the version initially approved by the National Assembly is fully compliant and would allow the process to move forward. That is good news,” the source said.
The opinion is expected to help French lawmakers agree on a version that complies with EU law and pass the legislation in July, allowing it to take effect on September 1, in line with Emmanuel Macron’s pledge.
Once the Commission’s opinion is issued, senators and members of the National Assembly will seek a compromise through a joint committee, the date of which has yet to be set.
If an agreement is reached, the bill will return to the National Assembly for a final vote on July 21 before heading to the Senate later that week for possible final approval.
The proposal is inspired by Australia’s landmark ban, introduced in late 2025, making it the first country in the world to adopt such a measure. Several European nations are now considering similar legislation, while the European Union is also exploring the possibility of harmonising such rules across the bloc.
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