7 hrs ago
Macron Urges EU Ban on Social Media for Under-15s
French President Emmanuel Macron wants one European Union rule about children using social media.
His proposal would ban social-media access for anyone younger than 15.
He asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to help create this rule.
Macron says the goal is to protect children across Europe.
France previously tried to pass a similar national law.
France’s Constitutional Council rejected that law before it could begin.
Macron says France will try to write a new version.
Von der Leyen has discussed a gradual system, while some countries think parents should decide.
Emmanuel Macron asked Ursula von der Leyen to introduce EU legislation banning social-media access for children under 15.
Macron said a common European rule was needed to protect children across the European Union.
France’s Constitutional Council struck down a national under-15 social-media bill before it was due to take effect in September.
Macron said France would revise its national legislation in line with EU law and the French Constitution.
Von der Leyen has discussed a tiered system, while some countries favor parental decision-making and Macron supports a blanket ban until age 15.
- Who
- French President Emmanuel Macron asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to support an EU-wide restriction.
- What
- Macron proposed new European legislation banning social-media access for children under 15.
- Where
- The proposed measure would apply across the European Union, while France is considering separate revised legislation.
- When
- Macron’s letter was dated August 29 and was reported on September 8; France’s national bill was rejected in August.
- Why
- Macron said the measure would protect children across the European Union, amid concerns about young people’s mental health and safety.
Blanket EU-Wide Ban
Tiered Restrictions or Parental Choice
Age restriction
Blanket EU-Wide Ban
Macron supports a blanket ban on social-media access for everyone under 15.
Tiered Restrictions or Parental Choice
Von der Leyen has cited a tiered approach under which children under 13 would receive limited, supervised access, while some countries—especially in Scandinavia—favor leaving the decision to parents.
European-wide legislation
Blanket EU-Wide Ban
Macron says a new European legislative text is essential to harmonize the restriction and protect children across the Union.
Tiered Restrictions or Parental Choice
Several European countries are considering their own restrictions, but some governments prefer different national approaches rather than one blanket EU rule.
French national law
Blanket EU-Wide Ban
Macron plans to pursue revised French legislation after the Constitutional Council rejected the original bill.
Tiered Restrictions or Parental Choice
Political fragmentation in France’s Parliament and difficult budget negotiations could complicate efforts to pass a replacement law.
Key facts
- Proposed age limit
- Children under 15
- Proposed measure
- An EU-wide ban on access to social-media platforms
- Requester
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Letter date
- August 29
- French legal status
- France’s Constitutional Council struck down a national bill before it was due to take effect in September
- Alternative EU approach
- A tiered system with limited, supervised access for children under 13 and gradually eased restrictions
- Political context
- Macron is seeking support ahead of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech later this month
Quotes
Emmanuel Macron
President of France
“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.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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