With France’s own attempt to keep younger teens off social media blocked in court, President Emmanuel Macron is now pressing Brussels to impose an EU-wide ban for children under 15, according to his office.
In a letter dated 29 August to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seen by Reuters and other media, Mr Macron argued the moment has become urgent for the European Union to act through new legislation after France’s Constitutional Council struck down a national bill this summer ahead of its planned September start date.
“I believe it has now become essential to go further and, through a new European legislative text, harmonise a ban on access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, in order to protect all children across the Union,” Mr Macron wrote.
The push comes as governments worldwide wrestle with how to respond to concerns about social media’s effects on young people’s mental health and safety. After Australia adopted a landmark ban last year, several European countries have begun weighing their own restrictions.
Not everyone agrees on a one-size-fits-all approach. Some countries, particularly in Scandinavia, argue the decision should remain with parents rather than being dictated by law.
In Ireland, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said earlier this year that the Government is examining the idea of a similar ban, while making clear he would prefer any move to be introduced at EU level.
Mr Macron, now in his final year as French president, has elevated the issue as a priority ahead of the next French presidential election in 2027 and has been lobbying other EU governments to support tougher rules.
He said France would also rewrite the legislation that was struck down by the Constitutional Council. But he acknowledged the political reality at home could make a new bill hard to pass, with parliament fragmented and budget negotiations proving difficult.
Ms von der Leyen said in July the EU would move to curb young children’s access to social media across the 27-member bloc, pointing to proposals from two experts that would create a tiered framework.
That model would allow children under 13 only limited, supervised access, with rules easing gradually as they get older.
Mr Macron is urging the Commission to go further, advocating a blanket ban on social media access until age 15. His appeal comes ahead of Ms von der Leyen’s ‘State of the Union’ address to the EU parliament later this month.
