France: French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron has suggested that the government should consider regulating and potentially cutting off social media networks in the country when situations escalate out of control.

The comments were made in response to the recent riots and violence following the shooting of a teenager during a police traffic stop in a Paris suburb, with ministers blaming young people who organised and encouraged the unrest through platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.

Speaking at a meeting attended by over 200 mayors whose municipalities were affected by the violence, Mr. Macron stressed the need to reflect on how young people use social networks. The French President stated that if things spiral out of control, regulation or even shutting down these platforms may be necessary.

Mr. Macron emphasised the importance of approaching this issue with careful consideration and not in the heat of the moment, expressing relief that immediate action was not required.

Mr. Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, voiced concerns, stating that France, as a country known for championing human rights and citizen freedoms, should not align itself with these nations. Mr. Olivier Marleix from the centre-right Les Républicains party also criticised the idea, likening it to the social media restrictions imposed by China, Iran, and North Korea.

During the meeting with mayors, which aimed to explore the underlying causes of the violence, disagreements emerged between right-wing and left-wing officials, with each side advocating for their own solutions. As a result, Mr. Macron concluded the meeting by acknowledging the lack of consensus among the participants.

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