Macron Urges Teens to Ditch Phones, Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-15s
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed high school students in Villers-Cotterets on April 16, urging them to disconnect from digital devices and prioritize reading. He advocated for a monthly 'no screens day' for all citizens and a comprehensive ban on social media access for individuals under the age of 15. This initiative aligns France with a growing European trend, following Australia's 2025 implementation of similar restrictions, aimed at protecting minors from cyberbullying and attention deficits. While the French Lower House supports a blanket ban, senators prefer restricting only harmful platforms, potentially delaying legislation intended for the September academic start. Macron is also coordinating with EU leaders to establish a unified 'digital majority' approach involving strict age verification. Reactions among students were mixed; some emphasized parental responsibility and educational benefits of social networks, while others cited safety concerns. However, there was a consensus that teenagers might bypass bans using tools like VPNs, a trend already observed in Australia. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pressured tech executives to enhance child safety measures, highlighting broader Western political efforts to regulate digital platforms.
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Macron Urges Teens to Ditch Phones, Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-15s
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed high school students in Villers-Cotterets on April 16, urging them to disconnect from digital devices and prioritize reading. He advocated for a monthly 'no screens day' for all citizens and a comprehensive ban on social media access for individuals under the age of 15. This initiative aligns France with a growing European trend, following Australia's 2025 implementation of similar restrictions, aimed at protecting minors from cyberbullying and attention deficits. While the French Lower House supports a blanket ban, senators prefer restricting only harmful platforms, potentially delaying legislation intended for the September academic start. Macron is also coordinating with EU leaders to establish a unified 'digital majority' approach involving strict age verification. Reactions among students were mixed; some emphasized parental responsibility and educational benefits of social networks, while others cited safety concerns. However, there was a consensus that teenagers might bypass bans using tools like VPNs, a trend already observed in Australia. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pressured tech executives to enhance child safety measures, highlighting broader Western political efforts to regulate digital platforms.
The Straits Times World News