Macron Reaffirms Push for EU-Wide Ban on Social Media Use Below Certain Age
Paris, The Gulf Observer: French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday reiterated his call for a European-level initiative to restrict social media access for minors below a certain age, underscoring the need to strengthen youth protection in the digital sphere.
Speaking during a public discussion on social media organized by the daily La Dépêche du Midi as part of his visit to Toulouse, President Macron stated, “I believe we need to move toward banning social media up to a certain age.”
He noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the specific age threshold, saying, “The debate continues over whether the age limit should be set at 14, 15, or 16. We’ll need to settle it. And we are currently building a coalition in Europe to achieve this.”
Macron emphasized that the initiative aims to create a consistent European framework to safeguard children and adolescents from the psychological and social risks associated with excessive or unregulated use of social media platforms.
When questioned about his own presence on X (formerly Twitter) and broader participation on social media amid growing concerns over online misinformation, Macron said he “does not rule out leaving social media,” but stressed that any such decision must be part of a wider, coordinated approach.
“It has to be a comprehensive process; it’s not something I will do tomorrow morning. I’m not going to make an announcement today, but it’s something I am thinking about,” the French president said.
France adopted a law in 2023 requiring parental consent for individuals under 15 to access social media platforms. However, its implementation remains pending due to ongoing reviews over its alignment with European Union regulations.
Macron’s latest remarks reflect France’s growing push to establish unified digital protection standards across Europe, addressing the challenges of online safety, misinformation, and the well-being of young users.
