6 hrs ago
Macron Pushes EU-Wide Social Media Ban for Under-15s
France wants children younger than 15 to be barred from using social media.
President Emmanuel Macron says this would help protect children online.
France’s Constitutional Council reviewed the proposal and raised observations about it.
The French government has now sent the European Commission new wording for the measure.
Macron wants all European Union countries to use the same age limit.
He also wants rules for how social-media platforms work.
France’s parliament voted for the measure earlier in July.
The United Kingdom has separately announced a ban for children under 16.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to harmonise a social-media ban for children under 15.
France’s government notified the European Commission of revised wording after the Constitutional Council raised legal concerns.
Macron said the revised proposal was designed to comply with European law and the Council’s observations.
France voted earlier in July to ban social media for under-15s, with implementation planned for the back-to-school period.
The United Kingdom announced in June a separate social-media ban for children under 16.
- Who
- French President Emmanuel Macron, the French government, France’s parliament, and the European Commission are involved.
- What
- France is pursuing a social-media ban for children under 15 and urging an EU-wide version.
- Where
- France and the European Union; the United Kingdom has announced a separate measure.
- When
- Macron made the renewed call on Monday; France voted on the measure in July, and the Constitutional Council considered it in mid-August.
- Why
- Macron says the policy is intended to protect children online and address potentially harmful platform features.
Key facts
- French age limit
- The proposed French ban applies to children under 15.
- EU proposal
- Macron called for the European Union to harmonise the ban across member states.
- Legal review
- France’s Constitutional Council considered the measure in mid-August.
- Government action
- The French government notified the European Commission of revised wording one month after the Council’s decision.
- French parliamentary vote
- France voted earlier in July to ban social media for under-15s.
- United Kingdom comparison
- The United Kingdom announced in June a social-media ban for children under 16.
- Stated rationale
- Macron linked the initiative to protecting children online and regulating platform features.
Quotes
Emmanuel Macron
President of France
“This protection must also become the standard for all European children. That is why I have shared with the President of the European Commission my determination that Europe move forward quickly and rigorously, to harmonise this ban at the Union level and regulate the features of platforms”
republicworld.com
“From the very first day, I committed to protect our children online. We will see it through to the end.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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