‘Protect our children online’: Macron urges EU to fast-track social media ban for kids under 15

Macron pushes EU-wide social media ban.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday reiterated his commitment to protecting children online and called on the European Union to quickly harmonise a ban on social media use for children under 15.“From the very first day, I made a commitment: to protect our children online. We will see it through to the end,” Macron said in a post on X.Macron said France had completed technical work to revise the wording of its proposed ban following observations made by the Constitutional Council in mid-August. The government has now notified the European Commission of the revised proposal, he said.“Following the decision handed down by the Constitutional Council in mid-August on the ban of social networks for those under 15, I had tasked the Prime Minister with finding a path forward that complies with the Council’s observations and European law. That has now been achieved,” Macron said.“After rigorous technical work, the Government is today notifying the Commission of new wording, one month after the Council’s decision. This protection must also become the standard for all European children,” he added.Macron said he had conveyed to the president of the European Commission his determination to introduce the age restriction across the bloc and regulate platform features.“That is why I have shared with the President of the European Commission my determination that Europe move forward quickly and rigorously, to harmonize this ban at the Union level and regulate the features of platforms,” he said.He also thanked European Commission officials, parliamentarians and countries supporting the proposal.“Thanks to the determination of the President of the Commission, parliamentarians, and the support of many European states that share this exigency with us, I am pleased that the protection of minors online is now a priority for our Europe, at the heart of this back-to-school agenda,” Macron said.“France will provide its full support, with rigor and determination. Don’t let up,” he added.France’s parliament voted in July to ban social media use for children under 15. Macron had then said the measure would take effect at the start of the school year, subject to review by the Constitutional Council.The move made France the first European Union country to introduce such an age limit, according to CNN. Other countries have also been considering restrictions on children’s access to social media. The United Kingdom announced plans in June to ban social media use for children under 16, ANI reported.Then Prime Minister Keir Starmer said excessive social media use could affect children’s sleep, playtime, family time and mental health.In Japan, a government panel proposed stricter age-verification requirements and greater responsibility for social media operators. Australia introduced a blanket social media ban for children under 16 last year, while Spain and Denmark have also been considering similar measures.