France Considers Social Media Ban For Under 15s

The French government plans to ban social media access for children younger than 15, while simultaneously banning knife purchases.

On Tuesday, a 14-year-old student fatally stabbed 31-year-old teaching assistant Mélanie during a school bag check at Nogent, in eastern France.

“She was great with kids,” said Laurence Raclot, a local who knew her, as reported by France24. “In a quiet little town, we never would have thought this could happen,” Raclot added. Mélanie, who was employed at the school since September, was the mother of a four-year-old.

President Emmanuel Macron said he will push for an under-15s social media ban. “We cannot wait,” he told France 2. If the EU doesn’t act soon, France will introduce the ban independently. He also posted on X: “I’m banning social media for children under 15. Platforms have the ability to verify age. Let’s do it.”

C’est une recommandation des experts de la commission écrans : je porte l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux avant 15 ans. Les plateformes ont la possibilité de vérifier l’âge. Faisons-le.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 10, 2025

The government also plans to ban knife sales to people under the age of 18. Prime Minister François Bayrou announced that the new policy will start in two weeks.

“Any knife that can be used as a weapon” will be included, he told TF1, as reported by France24. Online knife sellers will be required to verify buyers’ ages, similar to current laws for adult sites.

Meanwhile, the school set up a psychological support team, while Education Minister Élisabeth Borne requested a national moment of silence throughout the country, as reported by France24.

Some teachers’ unions questioned the effectiveness of the proposed measures. “little by little, we have seen attempts to turn them [Teaching assistants] into security guards,” said Sophie Venetitay of SNES-FSU, as reported by France24.

Remy Reynaud from CGT Educaction criticized bag searches, saying “they increase tensions,” as noted by France24.

Authorities are also considering a pilot program for metal detectors in schools, and measures to protect kids from “overexposure to screens.” Macron insists the time to act is now.

“I’m giving us a few months to get the European mobilisation going. Otherwise…we’ll start doing it in France. We can’t wait,” he said, as reported by Euronews.