French children under the age of 16 will require parental approval to open an account on Facebook or any other social network under draft legislation presented on Wednesday.

The clamp-down on Facebook use for the young is part of a French bill that seeks to adapt data privacy regulations and improve access to the information internet companies gather, store and in many cases sell to other firms about people's online activity.

"Joining Facebook will involve parental authorisation for minors aged under 16," said Nicole Belloubet, the French justice minister.

The minister said signing up to join a social network would involve ticking a box to confirm that approval from parents or rightful guardians had been obtained, and that the box-tick amounted to a declaration governed by law.