Macron Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under-15s Amid Rising Youth Violence
President Macron proposes a ban on social media for children under 15 in France, citing youth violence.
Key Points
- • Macron calls for a ban on social media for under-15s in France.
- • EU has three months to establish age verification measures before France acts.
- • Macron links social media use to increasing youth violence.
- • Age verification is already in place for certain sites in France.
In a significant move, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a ban on social media for individuals under the age of 15, citing concerns over its impact on youth violence. This announcement comes following a tragic incident involving the murder of a 31-year-old educational assistant in Nogent, which Macron linked to the harmful effects of social media usage. He declared during an interview on June 10, 2025, that if the European Union does not mobilize to establish a binding agreement on age verification methods within three months, France will take independent action to enforce this ban.
"I give us a few months to mobilize Europe; otherwise, I will negotiate with the Europeans to start implementing it in France," Macron stated, highlighting his urgency on the matter. Clara Chappaz, the Minister for Digital, has echoed this sentiment, advocating for swift discussions with European partners to address the issue of underage social media use.
Macron emphasized that social media platforms possess the necessary technology for age verification, referencing practices like facial recognition or the use of identification numbers. He pointed out that similar measures have been successfully implemented for pornographic websites in France, where age verification is now required as of June 6, following a prior deadline for compliance set for April 11. However, the legal standing of these measures remains debated, with critics noting that digital regulation primarily falls within the EU’s jurisdiction. The EU is anticipated to propose its own framework for age verification by the summer of 2025, which adds layers of complexity to Macron's initiative.