France’s parliament approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to introduce a digital age limit for platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The Senate passed it with 243 votes in favour and two against. The National Assembly was expected to follow. The ban rolls out in two stages: new accounts for under-15s will be blocked from September 1, with existing accounts closed from January 2027. Platforms are responsible for enforcing age verification. Exceptions apply to educational platforms and online encyclopedias. No penalties are provided for children or parents.