France's Senate has approved a plan to restrict social media access for children under 15, adopting a two-tier system that requires parental consent for some platforms and bans others deemed harmful. The move, backed by 303 votes to 37, marks a significant shift from the government's preferred blanket ban, which would have blocked all under-15s from platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat without exceptions. Instead, the Senate's version allows access to non-blacklisted platforms if a parent approves, while harmful services would be identified by ministerial decree and strictly off-limits. Catherine Morin-Desailly, the Senate's rapporteur, defended the approach, stating that creating a list of harmful platforms offers "applicable, operational" enforcement while safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff have expressed concerns, warning that the Senate's model may clash with European law. Le Hénanff confirmed the government will send the Senate's text to the European Commission for review, with a decision expected in about three months. Once the EU responds, a joint parliamentary committee will convene to reconcile differences before a final vote in both chambers. The National Assembly previously passed a version of the bill in January, and lawmakers also discussed extending the existing ban on mobile phones in primary and middle schools to high schools.
When Catherine Morin-Desailly calls the blacklist system "operational," she is effectively endorsing a compromise that lets parents—not the state—decide which platforms children can use, weakening the original intent of the reform. The government's insistence on a total ban reflects a deeper belief that parental oversight is insufficient against algorithmic harm, yet the Senate's win suggests political resistance to overreach. With the European Commission now weighing in, France's attempt to lead on digital child protection hinges on whether Brussels sees differentiation between platforms as legal or loophole-prone. This isn't just about safety—it's about who gets to control the gate: parents, politicians, or platforms.
