French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday reiterated his commitment to protecting children online and called for the European Union to move quickly towards harmonising a ban on social networks for children under 15.
In a post on X, Macron said, “From the very first day, I made a commitment: to protect our children online. We will see it through to the end.”
He said that following the decision handed down by France’s Constitutional Council in mid-August on the ban of social networks for those under 15, he had tasked the Prime Minister with finding a path forward that complied with the Council’s observations and European law.
“That has now been achieved. After rigorous technical work, the Government is today notifying the Commission of new wording, one month after the Council’s decision,” he added.
Macron said that the protection of children online should be extended across the European Union.
“This protection must also become the standard for all European children. That is why I have shared with the President of the European Commission my determination that Europe move forward quickly and rigorously, to harmonize this ban at the Union level and regulate the features of platforms,” Macron said.
He also thanked the European Commission President, parliamentarians and several European countries for supporting the initiative.
“Thanks to the determination of the President of the Commission, parliamentarians, and the support of many European states that share this exigency with us, I am pleased that the protection of minors online is now a priority for our Europe, at the heart of this back-to-school agenda,” he said.
“France will provide its full support, with rigor and determination. Don’t let up,” the French President said.
