📵 France to Ban Social Media for Under-15s If EU Doesn’t Act

🔗 Link: Euronews – Macron says France will ban social media access for under-15s if EU takes no action

📰 Summary:

After a fatal stabbing of a 31-year-old school aide by a 14-year-old in Nogent, President Emmanuel Macron vowed to outlaw social media use for under-15s “within a few months” if the EU fails to adopt similar measures.

Speaking on France 2, Macron emphasised platforms’ ability to verify age and signalled that France would proceed unilaterally if EU action stalls. The move follows a July 2023 French law requiring parental consent for under-15s and mirrors global trends like Australia’s under-16 ban. Macron also plans to restrict online knife sales to minors. Implementation challenges are expected, including verifying ages without compromising privacy—a debated issue in Brussels.

Read a full WTX News report on banning social media for kids 

💬 Political Reactions:

• 🇫🇷 Emmanuel Macron: “Platforms can verify age—so let’s do it. We cannot wait.” (🔗)
  
• 🇪🇺 MEP Sophie in ’t Veld (ALDE): “Important safeguard, but EU must lead—France can’t go it alone.” (🔗)
  
• 👩‍👧‍👦 @ParentsDigitalUK: “Kids already bypass age checks—this must come with education, not just bans.” (🔗)
  

🧠 Media Bias/Framing:

• Euronews: Reports straight from Macron’s comments in response to violence, focusing on policy timelines and EU coordination.
  
• Politico: Adds broader policy context—age verification hurdles, responses from Digital Services Act, and EU-level tensions.
  

📊 Sentiment Analysis:

• Tone: Cautiously positive