France Seeks Eu Coalition to Ban Social Media for Under 15s

France is spearheading an effort to create a European coalition aimed at prohibiting children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. Digital Affairs Minister Clara Chappaz aims to secure an EU-wide agreement that mandates age verification by social networks, with penalties for non-compliance. This initiative seeks to address the potential harms of social media on young users. Chappaz plans to mobilize EU partners, including Spain, Greece, and Ireland, within three months to convince the European Commission. The goal is to enforce stricter age verification measures across social media platforms. France is prepared to impose sanctions on platforms that fail to comply with the new regulations. France's push aligns with similar efforts in other European countries, such as Spain, which is considering raising the minimum age for social media access to 16. President Macron has also expressed support for restrictions on mobile phone and social media use for young children. The move reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on minors' well-being.