France Set to Ban Social Media for Under-15s, Says Macron Amid Growing Youth Violence Concerns
In a decisive move aimed at curbing rising youth violence, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a national ban on social media use for children under the age of 15. The President has given a limited timeframe for the European Union to act on the matter, stating that if the EU fails to implement a continent-wide policy, France will move independently within months.
Speaking during an interview with France 2, Macron highlighted the urgent need for stronger age restrictions online. “We must ban social media for those under 15. I’m giving us a few months to get the European mobilisation going. Otherwise, we’ll start doing it in France. We can’t wait,” he said.
The proposal comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a 14-year-old student fatally stabbed a 31-year-old school staff member during a routine bag check. A police officer was also injured in the attack. The student reportedly used the same knife in both assaults. While officials have yet to confirm whether the attack was influenced by online content, Macron has pointed to social media as a key factor fueling a culture of youth aggression.
Macron stressed that the digital world is shaping young minds in ways that often go unchecked, leading to rising behavioural issues and exposure to harmful content. “There’s a culture of violence spreading, and access to social media at too young an age plays a part in that,” he said. The President’s remarks reflect growing global concerns about the negative psychological and behavioural impact of unregulated online access on children and teenagers.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Macron directly called on tech companies to take responsibility. “Platforms have the ability to verify age. Do it,” he wrote, echoing longstanding calls from child protection groups and digital safety experts who have advocated for stricter age verification and parental controls on platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.
If implemented, France’s proposed ban would not be without precedent. Australia introduced a similar policy in 2023, banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The Australian government employed age-verification technologies and imposed strict fines—up to A$50 million (approximately $32.5 million USD)—on tech companies that failed to comply. The law, in force for at least 12 months, has been praised by child safety advocates as a critical step in protecting young users from digital harm.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the move, stating, “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.” The ban applies to major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X, although gaming and direct messaging apps are exempt.
France’s proposed ban is expected to face both logistical and political challenges, particularly around enforcement and age verification. However, the policy has already sparked a renewed debate within the EU and among tech companies about the ethical responsibilities of digital platforms in safeguarding young users.
With Macron’s strong stance and growing international momentum, the issue of youth access to social media may soon become a central topic in both European policymaking and global tech governance. Whether the EU acts collectively or France proceeds alone, one thing is clear: the conversation around children’s digital safety is far from over.
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