Macron Pushes EU Social Media Ban for Under-15s

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the European Commission to back an EU-wide ban on social media for children under 15. The push follows a decision by France’s Constitutional Council this summer to strike down a national bill before it was due to take effect in September.

In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen dated 29 August, Macron wrote that it had become urgent to introduce new EU legislation. He argued that common rules were needed to protect children across the bloc.

Following Australia’s landmark ban adopted last year, several European countries are considering similar restrictions amid growing concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and safety. Some countries, particularly in Scandinavia, however, believe the decision should be left to parents.

Von der Leyen said in July that the EU would move to restrict young children’s access to social media across the 27-member bloc. She cited proposals from two experts for a tiered system under which children under 13 would have only limited, supervised access, with restrictions gradually eased as they get older.

Macron is pushing for a tougher approach, with a blanket ban until the age of 15. France also plans to rework its own legislation, although political fragmentation in parliament and difficult budget negotiations could complicate efforts to pass a new law.

(Reuters, bak)