Identity Verification for Accessing Social Networks: Is It Feasible?

France Aims to Impose a Digital Majority at Age 15

For several months, the regulation of social networks has been advancing under two contradictory pressures. Authorities want to address the effects of platforms on minors, but each restriction requires verifying who is actually behind an account.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Parliament definitively adopted the bill proposed by MP Laure Miller aimed at prohibiting access to social networks for those under 15 years old. The text is still subject to review by the Constitutional Council, but the executive branch desires a swift implementation.

The ban is expected to take effect from September 1, 2026, for new accounts, and from January 1, 2027, for existing accounts. Platforms will thus have a few months to identify accounts belonging to minors under 15 years old and then block their access.

As we explained in our article published yesterday before the vote, in addition to lacking arguments to demonstrate its effectiveness, it definitively ends online privacy. Indeed, to know if a user is under 15, a platform must verify their age, which could involve extensive verification and data collection from all users.

VPNs, Parental Accounts, and Nostr Make Implementation Much Less Obvious

Australia already provides a glimpse into the practical limits of such a ban. Since December 10, 2025, those under 16 can no longer maintain or create accounts on several major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch.

However, ABC News reported at the end of March that a survey of 898 parents showed that about a third of children still had active accounts, compared to nearly half before the law came into effect. Among those under 16 already registered, between 60 and 70% reportedly retained access to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.

The Molly Rose Foundation, a UK organization specializing in online child safety, also estimates that about 70% of children still present on restricted platforms say it was easy to circumvent the measure. However, VPNs do not seem to be the primary means of circumvention, as only 4 to 5% of respondents reported using a VPN or a similar tool.

The most common circumvention might come from the parents themselves. Families already struggling to reduce screen time might validate their own identity to allow a child to access the service. The law would then fail to identify the true user while collecting more data on adults.

Another limitation comes from decentralized social networks. Nostr, which stands for "Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays," is not a single application like X or TikTok, but an open protocol based on clients, relays, and messages signed by cryptographic keys.

On a traditional platform, the state can impose obligations on a company. On Nostr, it can target certain clients, certain relays, or certain domain names, but controlling the entire network becomes much more difficult if other access points remain available.

Nostr is not yet a mass alternative, but it highlights the limitations of a law designed for centralized platforms. The more the state wants to make identity verification truly applicable, the more it will need to extend control to app stores, VPN providers, clients, relays, and ultimately, digital identity itself.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general branding and informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online events, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets or to use any services. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. WEEX services and online events may not be available in all regions and are subject to applicable laws, regulations, and eligibility requirements. You are responsible for ensuring that your use of WEEX services complies with local laws and for carefully assessing the risks before participating in any crypto-related activities.