France Moves To Ban Social Media For Children Under 15; India Signals Support

French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed that France is moving toward banning social media platforms for children under the age of 15. Delivering a keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Macron emphasized that the measure is not merely regulatory but a civilizational safeguard to protect children and teenagers from harmful online exposure.  

Macron stated that India is expected to join such efforts, aligning with global moves to impose stricter age-based restrictions on social media. India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the government is reviewing policies in line with international developments, including Australia’s recent ban on users under 16 from platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.  

Key highlights from the announcement include  

• France to ban social media for children below 15 years  
• Macron calls the move a civilizational safeguard to protect young citizens  
• India signals willingness to join the initiative, reviewing stricter age-based restrictions  
• Australia has already banned users under 16 from major social platforms  
• Global push to regulate social media use among minors gaining momentum  

Industry experts note that such measures could reshape the digital ecosystem by enforcing stricter compliance requirements for platforms and encouraging safer online environments for children. The collaboration between France and India highlights a growing consensus on the need for global standards in digital safety and youth protection.  

Sources: Moneycontrol, Firstpost, Today News