France has passed a law that prohibits children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms without parental consent. The new legislation will require social media companies to verify the ages of all users starting in January. This move makes France the first country in the European Union to implement such a blanket ban on social media for minors. The law comes amid growing global concerns about the harmful effects of digital content on children's mental health and well-being. Platforms will need to ensure that under-15 users have permission from a parent or guardian to access their services. The French government aims to protect young people from online risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive screen time. Social media companies face penalties if they fail to comply with the age verification requirements. The law has been approved by French lawmakers and is set to take effect in the coming months. It represents one of the strictest measures in Europe to regulate children's access to social media.