France to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15; Macron Asks if India Is Ready

New Delhi: The French government is set to ban social media usage for children under the age of 15. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted this initiative during his keynote address on the fourth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, and posed a question to India: Is the country ready to take similar steps to protect its young citizens?

Macron Highlights Child Safety

Speaking at the summit, Macron emphasized that safeguarding children online is not just a matter of law, but a matter of protecting civilization itself. He stated:

“There are no rules or laws specifically for children’s safety, but this is entirely about protecting our society. Will India take steps in the same direction to ensure that young citizens are truly safe?”

Macron stressed that protecting children and teenagers online is a global responsibility and urged nations to consider stricter measures for digital safety.

Europe as a Hub for Innovation and AI

Macron described AI as a powerful driver of productivity, saying,

“Europe is a hub for innovation and investment. Creating a safe environment takes time. France and India share a vision of sovereign AI that can be used to protect the planet and promote wellbeing for all. AI that doesn’t understand languages cannot serve everyone. Last year in Paris, we called it Action; this year in Delhi, we call it Impact.”

France’s Proposed Law on Social Media

In January, France approved a bill that would prohibit children under 15 from using social media. Macron supports this move to limit screen time and safeguard children. The bill will now go to the French Senate for final approval before implementation.

Once passed, France will become the second country after Australia to restrict social media access for minors. The law is expected to apply to new accounts starting September 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the school year. Existing accounts that do not meet the age requirement will be deactivated later in the year.