Macron calls for EU social media ban for under-15s

French President Emmanuel Macron has made a fresh push for stricter digital regulations across Europe, calling on EU nations to accelerate the implementation of social media restrictions for children below 15 years of age. The initiative reflects growing concerns among policymakers about the impact of digital platforms on child development and wellbeing.

Macron's appeal comes amid broader European efforts to establish comprehensive digital safeguards, particularly for minors. The proposal seeks to create a unified standard across member states, preventing younger children from accessing mainstream social media platforms until reaching adolescence.

The French leader's intervention underscores the EU's commitment to child protection in the digital sphere, an area that has gained prominence as concerns mount over issues including cyberbullying, data privacy, and excessive screen time among young users. Several European nations have already moved toward similar age-gating measures.

The proposal would require coordination among EU member states and could involve legislative changes to digital services regulations. Implementation timelines and enforcement mechanisms remain subjects of ongoing discussion among European policymakers seeking to balance child protection with other considerations including parental rights and platform governance.