Protection of persons under 18: Seven out of ten children, aged between 10 and 14, think that setting the digital age of majority at 15 is a good idea

In the wake of the vote on the law establishing a digital age of majority at 15, Arcom has published the results of a survey of youngsters aged 10 to 14 on the use of social media and online platforms by persons under 18 and their views on the digital age of majority.

Arcom had already published an in-depth study in autumn 2025 on persons under 18’s online behaviour and the risks to which they are exposed.

This consultation, made possible by the involvement of the Young Audience Observatory set up by Arcom alongside the Young Audience Expert Committee last March, reveals several key findings:

1. The use of social media is widespread among
   10–14-year-olds. 93 per cent of 10–14-year-olds regularly visit social media and online platforms, browsing on an average of 2.8 social media platforms per week. The figure is 91 per cent for 10–12-year-olds.

2. The most popular services are YouTube, Roblox, Snapchat and TikTok.

3. The risks associated with social media are well understood by under-15s. 97 per cent acknowledge thatthey are exposed to content that is dangerous, shocking or unsuitable for their age, and 78 per cent admit to suffering from some form of hyper-connectivity. Like adults, children also have greater confidence in their own ability to resist these risks than in that of others.

4. In this context, the ‘digital majority’ is seen as a positive measure. 78 per cent of children name at least one social media platform they would prefer to do without, and 70 per cent consider a ban on social media for under-15s to be a good idea. 90 per cent expect positive consequences, such as more time spent away from screens, but 85 per cent also foresee negative consequences (boredom, frustration, or even exclusion). Whilst 70 per cent of them say they are prepared to abide by the law, they estimate that, on average, only 30 per cent of their friends will do so.

5. Finally, 45 per cent believe they would probably spend more time interacting with AI if they were banned from using social media.

The implementation of the law, which will establish a major social norm and affect millions of users, will be gradual. Arcom will help monitor its effectiveness, starting with the opening of accounts, as of 1 September.

The regulator will act in accordance with the role of digital services coordinator entrusted to it by the SREN Act of 2024. This role, along with the draft bill introducing the digital age of majority, forms part of the European Digital Services Act ( DSA). In practical terms, Arcom will gather the evidence required for proceedings against platforms that fail to comply with the digital age of majority, in collaboration with the regulatory authorities of the European countries where the major social media platforms have their registered offices and with the European Commission, with a view to ensuring their compliance.

Arcom is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that social media platforms are safer spaces for all their users, including those aged 15 and over. In this regard, it welcomes the legal sanctions imposed in recent months and weeks on X, Temu and, most recently, Alixpress, under the provisions of proceedings to which it was called upon to contribute.

Arcom also advocates for, and will continue to support, an ambitious policy on media literacy, information literacy and digital citizenship, in order to conduct awareness raising activities amongst parents and children regarding the risks encountered online and to promote the acquisition of the knowledge necessary for an informed, responsible and progressive use of platforms, once the minimum age for accessing them has been reached.