France Considers TikTok Ban for Minors Amidst European Regulatory Scrutiny
France’s National Assembly adopted a bill on January 26, 2026, at first reading, aiming to protect minors from the risks associated with social media use, including a provision prohibiting access to platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram for children under 15. This move reflects growing concerns about the impact of social networks on young people’s mental health and a perceived inadequacy of current European regulations in addressing these issues.
European Regulations and Their Limitations
The proposed French law builds upon the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires social networks to implement measures protecting minors. Article 28 of the DSA obligates online platforms accessible to minors to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security. The European Commission has issued guidelines translating this obligation into good practices regarding platform design, algorithms, and moderation.
Articles 34 and 35 of the DSA require “very large online platforms” to assess potential negative effects on children’s rights and well-being. In December 2025, the European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in non-compliance with the DSA, requesting modifications to its service design to address addictive features. TikTok and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) are currently under formal procedures initiated by the European Commission as early as 2024.
Despite these regulations, concerns remain about their effectiveness and enforcement. Procedures are lengthy, leading to the perception of a “dead letter” law.
The French Proposal: A Ban and the Concept of “Digital Majority”
The French bill proposes an outright ban on access for those under 15, differing from previous attempts to establish a “digital majority” age. France’s Data Protection Act, aligned with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), generally associates digital majority with age 15, allowing minors to consent to the processing of their personal data online. Though, this does not grant them full legal capacity online.
A previous law, passed in July 2023, aimed to establish a digital majority and combat online hate speech, requiring parental authorization for registration on social networks for those under 15. However, this law was deemed non-compliant with EU law and never came into force. The current bill, passed on January 26, 2026, does not use the term “digital majority” and proposes a complete ban, regardless of parental consent.
Challenges to Implementation and EU Alignment
The State Council has noted potential conflicts between the French ban and the DSA, which aims for exhaustive harmonization of rules for online platforms. However, a European Commission spokesperson indicated France has the right to set a digital age for its citizens, provided implementation aligns with the DSA.
Effective implementation faces challenges, including the risk of circumvention by minors through methods like using false identities or VPNs. This could leave vulnerable minors accessing platforms without parental support or age-appropriate settings.
The European Commission is considering a common approach to minors’ access to social networks. The European Parliament, in a resolution on November 26, 2025, called for a harmonized European digital age limit of 16 with parental consent and 13 as a lower limit with no access without consent.
Looking Ahead
A unified European solution may be more effective in regulating major digital platforms. Protecting minors online requires a multi-faceted approach, including age limits, parental support, and measures to address the vulnerabilities exploited by social networks. Defining “digital age limits” is one step towards creating a safer online environment for young people.