ISLAMABAD: French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to push for a ban on social media use by children under 15 across the European Union.
This call comes after a tragic stabbing incident at a middle school in eastern France that has shocked the nation.
Macron hopes to see regulatory progress within the coming months, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Social Media and Youth Violence
The stabbing involved a 14-year-old student who attacked a 31-year-old school aide during a bag search for weapons.
President Macron linked social media platforms to the rise in violence among young people, urging swift action to protect children.
He highlighted that platforms have the technological means to verify users’ ages and insisted that they implement these controls immediately.
Global Moves to Protect Children
Macron’s stance follows a global trend of governments tightening social media regulations for minors.
Australia recently introduced a ban on social media use for children under 16, setting one of the toughest standards worldwide.
Despite existing age limits, many children still bypass social media restrictions, raising concerns over their online safety.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou confirmed to parliament that the school attack is part of a wider pattern of violence affecting young people.
If European-level regulations do not materialize soon, Macron indicated France would take independent action to implement the ban.
This initiative underscores growing international efforts to shield children from harmful online content and reduce youth violence.
