French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that the French government has submitted a reworked proposal to ban social media for children under 15. This follows the previous ban being struck down by France's Constitutional Council in mid-August, which deemed part of the legislation an unnecessary infringement on freedom of expression. The new draft has been notified to the European Commission to ensure alignment with EU laws.
Macron has made banning social media use for children and teens one of his top priorities, aiming to implement a working ban before he leaves office next year. He has also called for similar legislation to be adopted throughout the European Union. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is expected to address a possible bloc-wide social media ban for children in a speech in Brussels this week.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the harmful effects of social media on children. An increasing number of countries are taking steps to restrict access to social media platforms, driven by warnings from health experts and advocacy groups. These concerns include issues such as mental health impacts, exposure to inappropriate content, and the addictive nature of social media.
France's Constitutional Council struck down the previous legislation on the grounds that it unjustifiably restricted freedom of expression. The new proposal has been carefully reworked to address these concerns while still aiming to protect young users. The notification to the European Commission is a crucial step, ensuring that the revised legislation complies with EU regulations and standards.
If successful, the ban could set a precedent for other European countries to follow. Macron's push for a bloc-wide ban reflects a broader trend of governments seeking to protect young people from the potential harms of social media. This initiative is part of a larger effort to create safer digital environments for children across Europe.
