Macron Says “Our Children’s Brains Are Not for Sale,” Moves to Fast-Track Social Media Ban for Under-15s
Paris, France — French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his intention to accelerate the legislative process for a law that would ban social media use for children under the age of 15, saying that the mental and emotional well-being of young people must be protected from manipulation by digital platforms.
In a video message released late on Saturday on French broadcaster BFM-TV, Macron said he had instructed his government to initiate an “accelerated procedure” to push the proposed legislation through parliament and ensure it is examined and passed by the Senate well before the start of the next school year in September 2026.
“The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale,” Macron declared in the video, stressing that their emotions must not be manipulated by foreign tech platforms, whether from the United States, China or elsewhere. He also reiterated plans to ban mobile phones in French high schools as part of broader efforts to curb the negative impacts of digital technology on youth.
The proposed ban, which would apply nationwide to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and others, reflects growing concern within French political circles about the harmful effects of extensive social media use by children, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and exposure to risky content. A report by France’s health watchdog last year found that a large majority of teenagers use smartphones daily to access the internet, with many spending several hours on social networks.
Macron’s announcement comes amid similar policy debates in other countries. In Australia, the government late last year implemented a law banning social media use for people under 16, a move that prompted tech companies to deactivate millions of underage accounts. British authorities have also indicated that they are considering measures to limit social media access for younger children under tightened online safety laws.
The French bill is being championed by lawmaker Laure Miller, whose sponsorship in the National Assembly will see the draft debated publicly in the coming days. Macron indicated that the fast-tracking of this bill reflects a clear rule for families, teachers and teenagers alike about the government’s stance on digital media exposure for children.
Supporters of the policy say it would help protect minors from addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, harmful content, and excessive screen time. Critics, however, are expected to raise concerns about enforcement, age verification, and the potential impact on digital freedoms and access to information.
If enacted, the legislation would make France one of the first major European countries to impose such strict limits on social media use by minors, marking a significant step in global efforts to regulate technology companies and safeguard youth online.
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