President Emmanuel Macron has thrown his political weight behind a social media ban for under-15s, warning that France will not wait for European Union consensus before acting to protect young people online.
Speaking to the nation on Tuesday night, Macron said France would implement the ban “in the coming months” if Brussels fails to take coordinated action. His remarks came just hours after the fatal stabbing of a teaching assistant at a school in Nogent, an incident that has refocused national attention on youth violence and digital influence.
“We cannot wait. Platforms have the ability to verify age. Let’s do it,” Macron declared on France 2.
The proposed social media ban for under-15s would mark a significant shift in French digital policy, putting age restrictions on popular platforms including X(formerly known as Twitter), Reddit, Mastodon, and Bluesky. The government is actively working to categorise such platforms alongside adult content sites, allowing authorities to legally enforce age checks.
France has already enforced strict age verification laws for pornographic websites, which took effect on 7 June. The move prompted Pornhub to withdraw from the French market entirely. In response, the use of VPNs, which mask user location, spiked, raising questions about enforcement and digital loopholes.
Alongside the push for an online social media ban for under-15s, Macron announced that France would introduce mandatory age verification for knife purchases online, similar to restrictions used for adult content.
“A 15-year-old will no longer be able to buy a knife online. That means we’re going to impose massive financial sanctions and bans,” Macron said.
Prime Minister François Bayrou had earlier proposed a broader ban on the sale of all knives to minors, citing growing safety concerns.
Greece, with support from France and Spain, has been leading efforts within the EU to cap teen screen time and introduce unified digital safety policies. But Macron, citing urgency, indicated France would not wait on slow-moving negotiations in Brussels.
His administration is particularly focused on protecting younger users from online harms, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and social media addiction.
This proposed social media ban for under-15s positions France as a frontrunner in Europe’s response to growing concerns over children’s digital lives. Macron’s decisive stance signals a major turning point in how national governments may intervene where tech platforms and EU policy fall short.
With platforms increasingly held accountable and further regulatory moves on the horizon, France’s approach could soon set the standard for safeguarding minors across Europe.
