French President Emmanuel Macron on September 14 announced that the government has submitted a revised proposal seeking to restrict social media access for children under 15. The move comes after France’s earlier legislation proposing such a ban was rejected by the country’s Constitutional Council.
“Following the decision handed down by the Constitutional Council in mid-August on the ban of social networks for those under 15, I had tasked the Prime Minister with finding a path forward that complies 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,” Macron said in a post on X.
The French president also said that protecting children from the potential risks of social media should become a broader European standard.
“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,” he said.
Brazil, Australia And Indonesia Already Have Social Media Restrictions
France is not the only country considering stricter measures for children using social media. Countries including Brazil, Australia and Indonesia have introduced legislation aimed at restricting social media access for users below the age of 16.
California has also introduced measures focused on protecting children online. The state has brought in laws targeting features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay for users under 16, rather than imposing a blanket restriction on social media.
Should India Also Consider Similar Measures?
France’s proposal has also brought the question of social media regulation for children into focus in India. A complete ban may limit children’s exposure to potentially harmful online content, but restrictions alone may not address the wider challenges associated with excessive or unhealthy digital use.
For younger children in particular, the emphasis could be on creating a safer and more controlled digital environment. Parents and schools can play an important role in helping children understand screen-time limits, identify harmful or inappropriate content, deal with cyberbullying and maintain healthier online habits.
Rather than relying only on prohibition, digital literacy can form a major part of the solution. Children can be taught how to use social media responsibly while understanding its impact on sleep, physical activity, studies, mental well-being and relationships.
Schools could also introduce age-appropriate digital well-being lessons from the primary level and continue them through adolescence. Regular discussions on responsible social media use, online privacy, cyberbullying and excessive screen time could help children navigate digital platforms more safely.
Parental supervision is another important part of the approach. Setting reasonable screen-time boundaries, monitoring younger children’s online activities and maintaining open communication can help families identify problems before they become more serious.
Digital technology has already become a permanent part of childhood. Therefore, the focus may need to go beyond simply delaying children’s access to digital platforms. Teaching them how to use technology safely and responsibly could be equally important in supporting healthy development and meaningful offline connections.
India also has a large and rapidly expanding creator and influencer economy, making social media an important part of the country’s digital ecosystem. A joint report by EY and Collective Artists Network in 2024 projected India’s influencer marketing industry to reach Rs 3,375 crore by 2026. According to Kofluence’s Decoding Influence 2026 Report, 61% of the two million nano-influencers surveyed earned an average payment of Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per promotional Instagram Reel.
