Macron Proposes Law to Restrict Social Media Access for Minors Under 15 or 16

French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to introduce a law that would prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15 or 16. Speaking during a debate in Saint-Malo, Macron proposed establishing a "digital majority" aimed at protecting minors from the harmful effects of social media platforms. The proposal includes mandatory age verification for all social media users, modeled on verification methods already in use on pornographic websites. Macron indicated that the government would present this law proposal in early 2024, with the aim of securing a vote before the end of his current presidential mandate.

Additionally, Macron reaffirmed his previous intention to ban mobile phone use in high schools by September 2026, building on a law that already prohibits mobile phones in schools and middle schools since 2018, though enforcement has been uneven.

This initiative reflects a growing concern within France about the impact of early social media exposure on young people, and follows examples set by other countries like Australia, which recently banned social media access for those under 16.

Macron also addressed media misinformation, clarifying he never advocated for a state-controlled press label despite recent controversies. He emphasized the importance of a free press in distinguishing truth from falsehood through verification and contradiction. He supports efforts such as the Journalism Trust Initiative, which aims to organically label credible media outlets, and calls for social media platforms to be held accountable for misinformation similarly to traditional press publishers.

By setting an enforced minimum age and requiring mandatory verification, Macron’s proposal seeks to safeguard youth from early and unregulated exposure to social media while addressing broader challenges related to information trustworthiness in the digital age.