French President Emmanuel Macron is urging the European Union to rapidly harmonize a ban on social media use for individuals under 15 years old. Following France's initial parliamentary vote in July and subsequent technical revisions after a Constitutional Council decision, Macron notified the European Commission of his country’s new proposal wording. He emphasized that protecting children online should become a standard across Europe, advocating for rigorous regulation of platform features to ensure minors’ safety.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
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Story summary
French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to quickly harmonize a ban on social media use for children under 15, emphasizing his commitment to protecting minors online. After the Constitutional Council in France raised concerns in mid-August, the government completed technical revisions to align with the council's observations and European law. On Monday, Macron notified the European Commission of these updates, stating that the protection must extend to all European children. He praised the support from parliamentarians and many European states, calling it a priority for back-to-school efforts.
Written for “Online Child Protection Legislation” on 2026-09-14,
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Leaning score withheld for article 8750: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-14
French President
Emmanuel Macron on Monday reiterated his commitment to protecting children online and called on the European Union to quickly harmonise a ban on social media use for children under 15.
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Macron → reiterate → 15
“From the very first day, I made a commitment: to protect our children online.
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I → make → children
We will see it through to the end,” Macron said in a post on X.
Macron said France had completed technical work to revise the wording of its proposed ban following observations made by the Constitutional Council in mid-August.
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France → see → August
The government has now notified the European Commission of the revised proposal, he said.
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he → notify → proposal
“Following the decision handed down by the Constitutional Council in mid-August on the ban of social networks for those under 15, I had tasked the Prime Minister with finding a path forward that complies with the Council's observations and European law.
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that → follow → observations
That has now been achieved,” Macron said.
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Macron → achieve → ?
“After rigorous technical work, the Government is today notifying the Commission of new wording, one month after the Council's decision.
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Government → notify → decision
This protection must also become the standard for all European children,” he added.
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he → become → children
Macron said he had conveyed to the president of the European Commission his determination to introduce the age restriction across the bloc and regulate platform features.
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he → say → features
“That is why I have shared with the President of the European Commission my determination that Europe move forward quickly and rigorously, to harmonize this ban at the Union level and regulate the features of platforms,” he said.
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he → share → platforms
He also thanked European Commission officials, parliamentarians and countries supporting the proposal.
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He → thank → proposal
“Thanks to the determination of the President of the Commission, parliamentarians, and the support of many European states that share this exigency with us, I am pleased that the protection of minors online is now a priority for our Europe, at the heart of this back-to-school agenda,” Macron said.
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Macron → share → agenda
“France will provide its full support, with rigor and determination.
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France → provide → rigor
Don't let up,” he added.
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he → let → ?
France’s parliament voted in July to ban social media use for children under 15.
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parliament → vote → 15
Macron had then said the measure would take effect at the start of the school year, subject to review by the Constitutional Council.
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measure → say → Council
The move made France the first European Union country to introduce such an age limit, according to CNN.
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France → make → CNN
Other countries have also been considering restrictions on children’s access to social media.
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countries → consider → media
The United Kingdom announced plans in June to ban social media use for children under 16, ANI reported.
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ANI → announce → 16
Then Prime Minister Keir Starmer said excessive social media use could affect children’s sleep, playtime, family time and mental health.
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use → say → sleep
In Japan, a government panel proposed stricter age-verification requirements and greater responsibility for social media operators.
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panel → propose → operators
Australia introduced a blanket social media ban for children under 16 last year, while Spain and Denmark have also been considering similar measures.
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Spain → introduce → measures
