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BRAZIL PERSPECTIVE
FRANCE BANS SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER-15S, A FIRST IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
DOMINANT ANGLE
Brasilia is closely watching the French experience as a real-world test, whose results could inform the Brazilian debate on protecting minors online
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
Sao Paulo, July 22, 2026. Brazilian editorial offices have extensively covered the vote by the French Parliament on Tuesday, July 21, banning access to social networks for those under 15 years old. Folha de S.Paulo reports that the National Assembly adopted the text by 279 votes to 81, after approval from the Senate, making France "the first European country to follow Australia's example", which established the world's first ban for those under 16 years old on Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube in December.
G1 Globo Mundo quotes Digital Secretary of State Anne Le Henanff, who says "France is paving the way by being the first European country to establish a digital majority to better protect our children online". The article specifies that seven senators and seven deputies agreed on an enforcement mechanism largely based on the formula voted on by the National Assembly, with exceptions such as online encyclopedias, rather than the list of banned platforms initially defended by the Senate.
In practical terms, the articles detail that starting September 1, minors under 15 years old will no longer be able to open new accounts, and platforms will have an additional four months to close existing accounts. A valid age verification process, approved by the French privacy regulator, will be required of companies. The Brazilian press recalls that platforms generally oppose blanket bans, while emphasizing that they already have measures in place to protect young users and have committed to respecting the rules imposed by governments.
The articles also place the measure within a broader movement: the European Commission is working on its own regulation for the entire bloc, while the United Kingdom has adopted a similar measure for those under 16 years old, which will not come into effect until early 2027. President Emmanuel Macron, whose second term ends in May 2027, wants to make the protection of minors online and the regulation of screen time one of the hallmarks of his presidency.
KEY POINTS
- Brazil's capital, Brasilia, is closely following the French National Assembly's adoption of a law by a vote of 279 to 81, after Senate approval, as reported by Folha de S.Paulo
- As of September 1, minors under 15 will no longer be able to open accounts; platforms have an additional four months to close existing accounts
- The Brazilian government is taking note that French Secretary of State Anne Le Henanff stated France is becoming the first European country to establish a digital majority, according to G1 Globo Mundo
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
Brazil's government is primarily focused on official statements from its own institutions, such as the Brazilian government and Congress, rather than voices from associative groups or young users.
Brazilian lawmakers prefer international comparisons, consistently framing the Brazilian law in relation to similar laws in Australia and the United Kingdom, rather than exploring its expected concrete effects in Brazil.
The Brazilian debate on online minor protection receives little coverage, with articles failing to explicitly link the French measure to internal discussions in Brazil on the same issue.
SOURCES (2)
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