Macron proposes EU-wide social media ban for children under 15

French President Emmanuel Macron has formally requested that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initiate European-level legislation to ban social media access for users under the age of 15. The initiative, characterized by Macron as a matter of significant importance, aims to establish a unified regulatory framework that ensures child protection while maintaining strict privacy standards for age verification.

This move follows a setback in August 2026, when France’s Constitutional Council blocked a domestic law intended to implement such a ban. In his letter to the Commission, Macron expressed his desire to reach a legislative solution this autumn that aligns with both European law and the French Constitution. He seeks the expertise of the Commission to develop a text that could be adopted before the end of his current term in the spring of 2027.

The French President emphasized that while the goal is to protect children within France, harmonizing these rules at the European level has become a necessity. The proposal underscores a long-standing objective from his election campaign, as he pushes to transition from failed national efforts to a broader, enforceable Union-wide directive.