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

French President Emmanuel Macron is urging the EU to introduce a bloc-wide ban on social media for children under 15, according to Reuters, citing a letter sent by the French leader.

In the August 29 letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Macron called for urgent action at the EU level. The push follows a setback at home, where France’s Constitutional Council blocked a similar national measure earlier this summer.

Macron wants the restrictions to apply across the entire bloc rather than country by country. In his letter, he called for “a new European legislative text” that would provide stronger protection for younger users.

Australia has already adopted a similar ban, and several European countries are now considering their own versions. Nordic countries, however, have pushed back against the idea, arguing that decisions over children’s social media use should remain with parents.

The issue has become a political priority for Macron ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election. France is also expected to keep working on its own legislation despite a difficult parliamentary environment.

The European Commission had proposed a less restrictive approach in July, centered on controlled access for children under 13. Macron is instead pressing for a full ban for anyone under 15, just as von der Leyen prepares to address the European Parliament.