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At the India AI Summit 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron urged PM Narendra Modi to ban social media for children under 15, citing France’s existing regulations.
Macron Calls for Child Safety on Social Media
New Delhi: At the India AI Summit 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban social media for children under 15. Macron said that France has already banned social media for children up to 15 years of age, and PM Modi could also take steps in this direction.
Macron said, "The safety of children and adolescents is not a rule, but a civilization." He expressed hope that Prime Minister Modi will take action in this direction. The President also praised the growing influence of digital infrastructure in India and stressed the need to make it safe for children and youth.
Citing the technological advancements in India over the past 10 years, Macron said that previously, a street vendor in Mumbai could not open a bank account, but today, the same vendor makes payments using his phone. He praised India's digital identity system, payment system, and health infrastructure, which has issued 500 million digital health IDs and is processing $20 billion in monthly transactions.
President Macron said that in this era of rising tensions, it is essential to use digital tools with an inclusive approach. He emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between India and the African continent, to unite instead of divide, and to create instead of destroy. He said that no country should be forced to act solely as a market where foreign companies sell their models and download citizens' data.
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Macron said that he would use France's G7 presidency to promote an inclusive digital approach. He expressed hope that India would also contribute to this through its BRICS presidency. He also emphasized that shared benefits and safe use should be the priority in the digital world.
