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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a crackdown on social media and smartphones that could see children younger than 11 banned from using the devices completely.
Just days after spontaneously calling an election following disappointing results at the European Parliament polls, Macron announced that he wanted to see a ban on smartphones for children under the age of 11, along with a social media ban for those under 15. The policy would be one of the most significant and direct crackdowns on social media and technology in a Western nation if implemented.
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Macron pitched the policy to French media on Wednesday, saying that "access to social networks" should be prohibited for all children under the age of 15.
The proposed ban comes after an expert panel, commissioned by Macron in April, delivered a report highlighting the adverse effects of excessive screen time and social media on children. The panel recommended that children under 11 should not have phones of any kind, and those under 13 should not have smartphones with internet access.
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For children under 15, the panel advised against using social media altogether, suggesting that only platforms deemed "ethical" should be accessible to minors over this age.
The expert report also found that excessive screen time contributes to sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and higher rates of child obesity. It called for stricter regulations on tech companies, urging them to take responsibility for the content accessible to young users, which Macron has repeatedly voiced support for.
Earlier this year, Macron raised the idea of a social media ban, saying in January that tighter restrictions were on the way. "Does anyone send their child into the jungle at 5, 10 or 12?" Macron asked in a speech at the time.
While Macron has pledged to draft legislation based on the panel's recommendations, the timeline and specifics of the proposed laws remain unclear. The French government has long been expected to focus on creating new regulations for tech companies to follow, particularly social media companies.
Newsweek contacted the French government for comment but did not receive an immediate reply.
The new rhetoric comes after Macron's party, Renaissance, won a fraction of seats at the European Parliament elections on June 9. National Rally, the party led by long-time opponent Marine Le Pen, secured 31.5% of the vote, more than double that of Macron's coalition. Immediately after the results, Macron announced an election in France, which will take place in July later this year.
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