On June 15, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to ban children under 15 from using social media, with plans for the law to take effect as early as September. At first glance, such a measure may seem justified: protecting children from cyberbullying, addiction, and inappropriate content are important goals. Despite the noble aim of protecting minors from the dangers of the digital environment, the proposed ban constitutes a disproportionate restriction on the fundamental rights and freedoms of children and adolescents.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday, June 15, that he hopes the ban on social media use by children under 15 will take effect “at the start of the school year in September.” Social media can indeed pose risks: cyberbullying, misinformation, harmful content, and psychological pressure.
However, the response to these challenges should be education, digital literacy, parental guidance, and effective platform moderation—not a complete ban on access. History shows that bans rarely solve the problem. On the contrary, they often lead to people finding ways around the restrictions, using anonymous services, and a reduction in oversight by parents and society.
Modern social media platforms are not only spaces for entertainment but also important tools for communication, obtaining information, education, and participation in public life.
By depriving teenagers of access to these platforms, the government effectively restricts their right to freedom of expression and access to information—rights enshrined in international conventions on the rights of the child and human rights.
Enforcing such a ban will inevitably require stricter age verification of users. This means collecting additional personal data from millions of citizens. Such measures set a dangerous precedent for expanding surveillance of internet users under the pretext of ensuring security.
Human rights defenders at the Foundation to Battle Injustice are convinced that the protection of children and respect for civil liberties should not be pitted against one another.
Instead of bans, it is necessary to:
• strengthen the accountability of digital platforms;
• develop digital education programs;
• improve mechanisms for combating harmful content;
• ensure transparency in social media algorithms.
Human rights defenders at the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn the ban on social media for all children under the age of 15, as this is an excessive measure that risks creating more problems than it solves. The Foundation’s experts urge the French authorities to launch a broad public debate on this initiative and to abandon an approach based on bans and restrictions. The safety of children is a paramount responsibility of the state. However, a democratic society must seek solutions that protect minors without sacrificing fundamental rights and freedoms.