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AI Observatory · France 2027 electionUpdated September 28, 2026

Topics · Social media, algorithms and protection of minors (ban for under-15s)

Social media and under-15s: what the candidates in the 2027 presidential election are proposing

As of September 28, 2026, 30 proposals and statements from 10 candidates and potential candidates: Antoine Mikolajczak, Bruno Retailleau, Dominique de Villepin, Emmanuel Maurel, Florian Philippot, Gabriel Attal, Marine Tondelier, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, Raphaël Glucksmann, Édouard Philippe.

Background

Law no. 2026-813 of August 24, 2026 was promulgated without its Article 1. That article, definitively adopted by Parliament on July 21, 2026, banned access to social media for those under 15 starting September 1. In its decision of August 14, 2026, the Conseil constitutionnel struck it down: the ban could cover services whose risks for minors were not established, and the law did not set out the safeguards governing age verification.

The text targeted social media (TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.), the social features of sites such as YouTube, messaging services such as WhatsApp and certain online video games. On September 17, 2026, the European Commission presented the EU Kids Act, which provides for a ban before the age of 13 and parental control from 13 to 15.

Sources: Sénat · LCP · Toute l'Europe

What the candidates propose

Antoine Mikolajczak · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · September 14, 2026

Require digital platforms to prove the absence of addictive mechanisms before any launch

Require platforms to prove that they do not create addictive mechanisms before putting a new service on the market.
Original French quote
Obliger les plateformes à prouver qu’elles ne créent pas de mécanismes addictifs avant de mettre un nouveau service sur le marché.

Source: parti-equinoxe.fr · archived copy

Antoine Mikolajczak · Commitment · AI Regulation and the AI Act · September 14, 2026

Establish a moratorium banning AI companions for minors

Establish a moratorium banning the use of AI companions for minors, until the psychosocial effects are scientifically established.
Original French quote
Instaurer un moratoire interdisant l’usage des compagnons IA aux mineurs , le temps que les effets psychosociaux soient établis scientifiquement.

Source: parti-equinoxe.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Commitment · AI Regulation and the AI Act · September 11, 2026

Refocusing the CNIL on the protection of minors and vulnerable groups following an audit of its work

Refocus the CNIL on its essential missions, after a full audit of its work, by concentrating its resources on the protection of minors, families, vulnerable groups and on the manifest abuses of the major platforms.
Original French quote
Recentrer la CNIL sur ses missions essentielles, après un audit complet de son action, en concentrant ses moyens sur la protection des mineurs, des familles, des publics vulnérables et sur les abus manifestes des grandes plateformes.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Commitment · AI in Schools · August 31, 2026

No direct exposure of students to AI before high school

Time spent in front of screens will be limited, and our students will have no direct exposure to artificial intelligence before high school, so that nothing competes, in the early years, with the acquisition of fundamental knowledge.
Original French quote
Le temps passé devant les écrans sera limité, et nos élèves n’auront aucune exposition directe à l’intelligence artificielle avant le lycée, pour que rien ne vienne concurrencer, dans les jeunes années, l’acquisition des savoirs fondamentaux.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · August 31, 2026

No screens in primary school

Zero screens in primary school, no AI before high school: think first, command the machine afterward.
Original French quote
Zéro écran au primaire, pas d’IA avant le lycée : penser d’abord, commander la machine ensuite.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Dominique de Villepin · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · September 1, 2026

Ban cell phones in schools and preserve technology-free periods

This requires the effective ban on cell phones within school grounds and the preservation of sanctuary periods without any exposure to new technologies, devoted exclusively to human connection.
Original French quote
Cela suppose l’interdiction effective des téléphones portables dans l’enceinte des établissements et la préservation de temps-sanctuaires sans aucune exposition aux nouvelles technologies, consacrés exclusivement au lien humain.

Source: lafrancehumaniste.fr

Dominique de Villepin · Principle · AI in Schools · September 1, 2026

Controlled and graduated exposure of students to AI according to ages and uses

On the contrary, what is needed is controlled and graduated exposure. Graduated according to ages, graduated according to uses.
Original French quote
Il faut au contraire l’exposition maitrisée et graduée. Graduée suivant les âges, graduée suivant les usages.

Source: lafrancehumaniste.fr

Dominique de Villepin · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 23, 2026

Law on the transparency of algorithmic systems and a ban on infinite scrolling for minors

A law on the transparency of algorithmic systems and a ban on infinite scrolling for minors must safeguard children's attention.
Original French quote
Une loi de transparence des systèmes algorithmiques et d’interdiction du défilement infini pour les mineurs doit sauvegarder l’attention des enfants.

Source: lafrancehumaniste.fr · archived copy

Dominique de Villepin · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 23, 2026

Shifting platforms to publisher status, liable for what their algorithms amplify

A battle needs to be waged, at the European scale, the only truly relevant one, for platforms to move from host status to that of publisher, legally responsible for what their algorithms amplify, with visibility obligations for national and European creative work.
Original French quote
Un combat demande à être mené, à l’échelle européenne, seule réellement pertinente, pour le passage des plateformes du statut d’hébergeur à celui d’éditeur, juridiquement responsables de ce que leurs algorithmes amplifient, avec obligations de visibilité de la création nationale et européenne.

Source: lafrancehumaniste.fr · archived copy

Dominique de Villepin · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · March 27, 2026

No recommendation algorithm or scrolling for the youngest

no recommendation algorithm, no scrolling for the youngest.
Original French quote
pas d’algorithme de recommandation, pas de scrolling pour les plus jeunes.

Source: lafrancehumaniste.fr · archived copy

Emmanuel Maurel · Goal · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools

Apply the "5-10-15 rule" on screens, with daycare centers and preschools designated "screen-free zones"

a. no screens before age 5, because there is no positive impact and a plethora of negative impacts, up to addiction, daycare centers and preschools will be decreed "screen-free zones"
Original French quote
a. aucun écran avant 5 ans , car il n’y a aucun impact positif et pléthore d’impacts négatifs, jusqu’à l’addiction – crèches et maternelles seront décrétées « zones sans écrans »

Source: emmanuel-maurel.fr · archived copy

Emmanuel Maurel · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation

Regulating, or even banning, addictive social media algorithms

Public authorities will have to hold platforms accountable, fight against the addictive nature of social media algorithms, regulate them or even ban them.
Original French quote
La puissance publique devra demander des comptes aux plateformes, se battre contre le caractère addictif des algorithmes des réseaux sociaux, les réguler voire les interdire.

Source: emmanuel-maurel.fr · archived copy

Florian Philippot · Commitment · AI in Schools · September 3, 2026

Keep AI out of schools

School must remain a sanctuary without AI in order to protect children's cognitive abilities and their capacity to learn.
Original French quote
L’École devra demeurer un sanctuaire sans IA afin de protéger les capacités cognitives des enfants et leur aptitude à apprendre.

Source: les-patriotes.fr · archived copy

Gabriel Attal · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · August 25, 2026

Require transparency of social media algorithms to allow researchers to study them

He instead advocates transparency of their algorithms so that researchers can establish whether they artificially steer the content offered to users.
Original French quote
Il défend plutôt la transparence de leurs algorithmes afin que des chercheurs puissent établir s’ils orientent artificiellement les contenus proposés aux utilisateurs.

Source: attalpresident.fr · archived copy

Gabriel Attal · Costed measure · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · August 25, 2026

Launch a daily "plan Voltaire" for critical thinking in the age of AI and digital technology

And above all in the age of AI and digital technology, he proposes launching a "plan Voltaire", from the earliest age: 30 minutes at the beginning of each day, devoted to developing critical thinking, stepping back from the news and sources, and argumentation.
Original French quote
Et surtout à l’heure de l’IA et du numérique, il propose de lancer un « plan Voltaire », dès le plus jeune âge : 30 minutes au début de chaque journée, de développement de l’esprit critique, de recul sur l’actualité et les sources, d’argumentation.

Source: attalpresident.fr · archived copy

Gabriel Attal · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools

Ban social media for under-15s

That is why we will go all the way with banning them for under-15s, to protect them.
Original French quote
C’est pour cela que nous irons au bout de leur interdiction pour les moins de 15 ans, pour les protéger.

Source: attalpresident.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · September 17, 2026

Ban screens in schools before age six

Recommend banning screens for children under three and ban the use of screens in schools before age six.
Original French quote
Recommander l’interdiction des écrans aux enfants de moins de trois ans et interdire l’usage des écrans à l’école avant six ans.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · July 15, 2026

Training students, teachers and families in restraint regarding screens and digital technology and in its risks

Train students, teachers and families in restraint regarding screens and digital technology and in its risks.
Original French quote
Former les élèves, les enseignant·es et les familles à la sobriété et aux risques des écrans et du numérique.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 15, 2026

Imposing neutrality criteria on the algorithms of social networks with more than one million users

Enforcing neutrality criteria for the algorithms of social networks exceeding one million users in France.
Original French quote
Faire respecter des critères de neutralité aux algorithmes de réseaux sociaux dépassant un million d’utilisateurs·trices en France.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · July 15, 2026

Regulating the educational use of screens through high school

Recommend banning screens for children under three years old and ban the use of screens at school before the age of six. Regulate educational use through high school.
Original French quote
Recommander l’interdiction des écrans aux enfants de moins de trois ans et interdire l’usage des écrans à l’école avant six ans. Encadrer l’utilisation pédagogique jusqu’au lycée.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 15, 2026

Restrict algorithmic content curation to platforms with publisher status

Restrict algorithmic content curation to private and public platforms that have publisher status.
Original French quote
Limiter le tri algorithmique des contenus aux plateformes privées et publiques qui ont un statut d’éditeur.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 15, 2026

Limit the collection of players' data and ban advertising profiling of minors

Limit the collection of players' data and ban advertising profiling for minors.
Original French quote
Limiter la collecte de données des joueurs et interdire le profilage publicitaire pour les mineurs.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 15, 2026

Disabling personalized content rankings during election periods

Disable personalized rankings during election periods.
Original French quote
Désactiver les classements personnalisés durant les périodes électorales.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools

Training parents and children on screen risks starting in primary school

Train and inform parents as well as children about the risks associated with screens: addiction, isolation, loss of attention, early exposure to pornography. Develop a genuine protective and responsible digital culture starting in primary school.
Original French quote
Former et informer les parents comme les enfants sur les risques liés aux écrans : addiction, isolement, perte d’attention, exposition précoce à la pornographie. Développer une véritable culture numérique protectrice et responsable dès l’école primaire.

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools

"Digital-free" elementary school and "digital excellence" from middle school onward

Ensure ongoing digital training and support, suited and effective for all, taking digital illiteracy into account, with a "digital-free" protected space in elementary school but "digital excellence" from middle school onward.
Original French quote
Assurer une formation et un accompagnement continu au numérique, adaptés et efficaces pour tous, avec prise en compte de l’illectronisme, une sanctuarisation « sans digital » à l’école élémentaire mais « excellence numérique » dès le collège.

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools

Restricting digital use in primary school to the cours moyen level only

In primary school, strictly limit the use of digital tools: restrict the use of Information and Communication Technologies for Education (TICE) to the cours moyen level only.
Original French quote
A l’école primaire, limiter strictement l’usage du numérique : restreindre l’usage des Technologies de l’information et de la communication pour l’enseignement (TICE) au seul cours moyen.

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Raphaël Glucksmann · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · March 25, 2026

Imposing Rules by Design Against Addictive Social Media Algorithms

Fighting the toxic algorithms of social networks that foster addictions, in order to give the choice back to citizens, by imposing strict rules from the design stage.
Original French quote
Combattre les algorithmes toxiques des réseaux sociaux qui développent les addictions pour redonner le choix au citoyen, en imposant des règles strictes dès la conception.

Source: place-publique.eu · archived copy

Raphaël Glucksmann · Commitment · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · March 25, 2026

Teaching how to decode media, images and algorithms from primary school onward

Teaching students, from primary school onward, to defend themselves against manipulation by teaching the decoding of media, images, algorithms and addiction mechanisms
Original French quote
Apprendre aux élèves, dès l’école primaire, à se défendre contre la manipulation en enseignant le décryptage des médias, images, algorithmes et mécanismes d’addiction

Source: place-publique.eu · archived copy

Édouard Philippe · Principle · Screens and Digital Technology in Schools · July 5, 2026

Regulating screen use among young children

If we do not protect our children, if when they are very young we do not regulate this use of screens; and when they are older, we do not teach them to use the tremendous potential of new technologies, then we fail at everything!
Original French quote
Si nous ne protégeons pas nos enfants, si lorsqu'ils sont très jeunes nous ne réglementons pas cet usage des écrans ; et lorsqu'ils sont âgés, nous ne leur apprenons pas à utiliser le potentiel formidable des nouvelles technologies, alors nous ratons tout !

Source: edouardphilippe.fr

Édouard Philippe · Principle · AI Regulation and the AI Act

Simplify the European legal framework applicable to AI

Simplify the European legal framework applicable to AI, without giving up on regulation that is ethical and protective of children.
Original French quote
Simplifier le cadre juridique européen applicable à l'IA, sans renoncer à une régulation éthique et protectrice des enfants.

Source: edouardphilippe.fr · archived copy