- France's Constitutional Council struck down a national bill aimed at banning social media for children under 15 before it was set to take effect in September.
- In July, Von der Leyen announced that the EU would limit young children's access to social media, referencing expert proposals for a tiered system.
- Macron urged a bloc-wide ban on social media for children under 15 in a letter to von der Leyen dated Aug 29.
- Macron is advocating for a blanket ban on social media access for children under 15 ahead of von der Leyen's State of the Union speech later in September.
- Macron has made the issue of social media access for children a priority as he approaches the next French presidential election in 2027.
- France plans to rework the legislation that was struck down, although political fragmentation may complicate this effort.
- Following Australia's landmark social media ban for children, several European countries are considering similar measures due to concerns over mental health and safety.
French President Emmanuel Macron has intensified his push for a European Union-wide ban on social media for children under 15, following the rejection of a similar law in France. In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, dated Aug. 29, Macron stated, “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.”2345
This call comes amid rising concerns over the impact of social media on young people's mental health and safety, particularly after Australia's landmark social media ban for children adopted in 2025. Several European nations are now contemplating similar restrictions, although some, especially in Scandinavia, argue that such decisions should be left to parents.7
Macron, who is in his final year as French President, is prioritizing this issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election and has been lobbying other EU governments for support. He plans to rework the legislation that was struck down by France's Constitutional Council, although political fragmentation and budget negotiations may complicate this effort.16
In July, von der Leyen indicated that the EU would seek to limit young children's access to social media, proposing a tiered system that would allow limited, supervised access for children under 13. Macron's proposal, however, advocates for a stricter blanket ban until age 15, aiming for swift action to address concerns over addictive designs and safety issues for minors.
“Macron's letter, dated Aug 29, cites addictive designs and lack of account safety as justification, and he is lobbying other EU governments ahead of von der Leyen's State of the Union speech. France will separately rework its national legislation, though political fragmentation may complicate passage.”
