French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the European Union to introduce a bloc-wide ban on social media access for children under 15, calling for stronger and more consistent protections for young people online.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen dated August 29, Macron argued that a new EU law was urgently needed to harmonise restrictions across member states and protect children from potential risks associated with social media use.
The proposal follows France’s failed attempt to introduce its own under-15 social media ban after the country’s Constitutional Council struck down the legislation before it could take effect. Macron has said France will continue working on revised national legislation while seeking broader European support.
The push comes as governments across Europe debate how best to protect children online, following Australia’s restrictions on social media access for minors. While some European countries support tighter age restrictions, others, particularly in Scandinavia argue that decisions should remain primarily with parents.
Macron’s proposal is stricter than the tiered approach currently being considered by the European Commission, which could allow limited and supervised access for younger children. The debate is expected to remain a major issue in upcoming EU discussions on digital safety and the regulation of social media platforms.
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