Macron urges EU-wide ban on social media for children under 15

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to prepare EU-wide legislation banning children under 15 from using social media, arguing that a common approach is needed to protect children across the bloc.

Macron made the appeal in a letter dated August 29 that was seen by AFP. He said restrictions on children's access to social media should be harmonised at the European level rather than applied differently from one EU member state to another.

The initiative follows a setback in France, where the Constitutional Council rejected a proposal in August to ban social media use by children under 15. Macron has nevertheless said he hopes to find a way forward with revised legislation that would comply with both European Union law and the French Constitution.

By Tamilla Hasanova