Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has asked the government to trigger an accelerated legislative procedure for a bill that would ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, aiming for the law to take effect “as early as next fall,” local media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, a video document obtained by broadcaster BFMTV shows Macron thanking ruling party lawmaker Laure Miller, the rapporteur of a parliamentary inquiry into the effects of TikTok, for her work on the draft legislation, which the government has now endorsed. Macron emphasized the importance of this legislative initiative, stating that it fulfills a long-held ambition and a commitment he made to the French people.

Macron recalled his efforts since 2018 to regulate digital platforms more tightly. He cited initiatives launched at UNESCO and the Paris Peace Forum, as well as previous French laws aimed at protecting children and teenagers from excessive screen time and online abuse. The new proposal is described as a “much simpler text” fulfilling his pledge to prohibit social networks for minors under 15, with references to restrictions on mobile phone use in schools.

Macron conveyed a clear message in the video: “The brains of our children and teenagers are not for sale. Their emotions are not for sale, neither by American platforms nor by Chinese algorithms.” The bill is scheduled for examination in its first reading at the National Assembly on Monday, during the parliamentary session reserved for Macron’s Renaissance party. By invoking the accelerated procedure, the government aims to shorten the legislative process for rapid implementation.

This proposal follows similar actions adopted abroad. Last month, Australia became the first country to formally ban social media for teenagers under 16, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later announcing the deletion of 4.7 million accounts during the first month of enforcement. The French government states that the planned law is part of broader efforts to combat online harassment, harmful content, and risks to minors’ mental health linked to social media use.