The French Parliament has made its final decision: access to social media is now subject to a "digital age of consent" set at 15. To sign up for TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, younger users must now obtain explicit parental consent. As an agency, we have broken down the text for you: here is what this law means for the social media landscape.
The 3 legal pillars to remember
This law marks the end of the "wild west" of theoretical 13-year-old sign-ups without real verification. The legislature has established a strict framework:
- Mandatory parental consent (under 15s): It is impossible to create an account without certified validation from a legal guardian.
- Strict age verification: simply checking a box that says "I am over 13" is no longer enough. Platforms must deploy technical solutions that comply with the requirements of Arcom and the CNIL. Internet giants face fines of up to 1% of their global turnover for failing to comply with this rule.
Impact and implications for your social media strategy
As an agency, we see this development not as a hurdle, but as a shift in usage that should be integrated into your roadmaps immediately.
Redefining targets and audiences
If your campaigns were aimed directly at 12-15 year olds, the conversion journey has changed completely. Parental consent is now a key intermediary. Brands targeting teens will need to adapt their messaging to appeal to (or reassure) both the young user and the decision-making parent.
Towards cleaner metrics?
The gradual removal of fake accounts and stricter age verification should automatically improve the quality of audience data. Fewer ghost or falsified profiles means more precise ad targeting and a better return on investment (ROI) for your ad campaigns.
Top priority for social listening and brand safety
Lawmakers justify this legislation as a means to combat cyberbullying, protect data, and safeguard the mental health of young people. For brands, Brand Safety is more important than ever. Implementing impeccable moderation and sharing ethical, responsible content on your channels is no longer an option; it is a prerequisite.
