BRUSSELS

France has the right to restrict social media use for children under the age of 15, and online platforms must comply, the European Commission said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters that national authorities can set a digital age for their citizens, but it is the responsibility of very large online platforms, defined under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), to respect the legislation.

"It is the obligation of very large online platforms to respect the national legislation, but making sure that this is enforceable and that very large online platforms have adequate age verification measures in place, this is the prerogative of the commission. So, of course, legislation can be done at the national level if it's compatible with EU law," he said.

He added that the EU has developed an age verification tool, which will become mandatory in all member states by the end of 2026.

Member states will be required to offer the tool to citizens, and platforms must either use it or implement equivalent measures to ensure compliance with EU and national rules.

The French bill, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved by the National Assembly's lower house Monday, by a 130 - 21 vote. It now moves to the Senate before it can become law. If enacted, France would follow Australia in restricting social media for younger teens.

Macron hailed the vote as a "major step" to protect children and teens. French authorities aim to enforce the ban from the start of the 2026 school year, with full age verification for all users in place by Jan. 1, 2027.