France Set to Ban Social Media for Under-15s if EU Fails to Act, Says President Macron
PARIS — December 11, 2025 —
French President Emmanuel Macron said late Tuesday that he will push ahead with a nationwide ban on social media for children under 15 if the European Union fails to adopt binding rules soon, stressing that “we cannot wait” for EU action. The announcement comes in the wake of a fatal school stabbing in Nogent, Haute-Marne, and builds on growing European concerns over the impact of online platforms on children’s mental health and safety.
Macron’s Promise: National Action Within Months
Speaking on French broadcaster France 2, Macron said that if European partners do not make progress “in the coming months” on regulating social media access and usage for minors, France will move unilaterally to ban access for those under 15. Platforms, he said, already have the technical capacity to verify ages and should be required to do so. “We cannot wait,” Macron told audiences, underlining the urgency of protecting young people online.
The president also signalled his support for age-verification systems similar to those used by adult websites, saying such tools could be adapted for social media platforms.
Context: School Attack Sparks Renewed Debate
Macron’s comments follow the murder of a teaching assistant earlier Tuesday at a high school in Nogent, Haute-Marne, where a 14-year-old student stabbed a staff member during a bag control operation. The attack has renewed political debate in France about youth behaviour, digital culture, and school safety.
French officials, including Prime Minister François Bayrou, have announced parallel measures such as an immediate ban on online sales of knives to minors and enhanced security measures around schools.
EU Efforts and International Comparisons
Greece, backed by France and Spain, is currently championing an EU-wide effort to significantly limit the amount of time teenagers spend online and regulate social platform access. Macron’s warning underscores frustration with the pace of European reform, even as member states seek common standards.
Internationally, similar debates are shaping policy: Australia has recently introduced a ban on social media for under-16s, a model Macron and French lawmakers have referenced in public discussions about digital regulation.
Political and Social Impact
Macron’s plan has reignited a broader debate in France about children’s exposure to social media, mental health risks, and the role of government versus parental control. Critics argue such bans may be difficult to enforce and could drive minors to use VPNs or unregulated platforms to bypass the rules. Supporters claim stronger safeguards are overdue to protect youth from addiction, harmful content, and cyberbullying.
What’s Next?
If EU consensus is not reached in the coming months, the French government is prepared to introduce legislation setting a minimum age of 15 for all major social platforms within France. Tech companies would be required to implement robust age verification and face penalties for non-compliance, although detailed legal text and enforcement mechanisms are still being developed.
