French authorities are planning to ban social media use for children under 15 and restrict knife sales to minors. This follows the fatal stabbing of a school teaching assistant by a 14-year-old boy.
The attack shocked the country and revived debates about safety in schools and children’s access to dangerous content and weapons.
The incident happened on Tuesday in Nogent, a town in eastern France. A teenage pupil attacked and killed a 31-year-old school assistant during a school bag search. The assistant died from stab wounds. Police arrested the suspect soon after.
President Emmanuel Macron responded with a strong message on social media. “I am proposing to ban social media for under-15s,” he posted. “Platforms are capable of verifying ages. Let’s act.”
He said France would take steps alone if the European Union failed to respond quickly. “We can’t afford to wait,” he said during a TV interview.
Tighter Rules and EU Support
France has joined Greece and Spain in a wider EU push to protect minors from the negative effects of digital platforms.
Research across Europe is linking social media use in children to mental health issues, poor sleep, and online addiction. Macron said France would press on with national rules even if the EU delays. His message was clear: the protection of children cannot be delayed.
Some French lawmakers and health experts have backed Macron’s plan. They argue that too much screen time and exposure to violent or harmful content are damaging young minds. Some have called for schools and parents to be more active in monitoring online activity.
New Restrictions on Knife Sales
The fatal stabbing has also renewed focus on violence inside French schools. In March, the government began surprise inspections at schools to find hidden weapons. The attack in Nogent has now pushed the government to go further.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister François Bayrou’s office said a decree banning the sale of knives to minors would be introduced in the next two weeks. He told TF1 TV that the ban would apply to “any knife that could be used as a weapon” and take effect “immediately.”
Bayrou also suggested that some schools may test metal detectors. He said this would be part of a wider trial to improve student and staff safety.
Nationwide Mourning and School Security Debate
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne said the tragedy has left the whole country in mourning. She instructed all schools in France to observe a one-minute silence on Thursday. Speaking on radio, she said: “The entire education community is in mourning, and so is the nation.”
Borne welcomed discussions about improving school security. But she also pointed out that many weapons, such as ceramic blades, cannot be detected by metal scanners. This shows the difficulty of stopping all forms of violence in schools.
The attack has increased pressure on the French government to respond fast and firmly. Parents, teachers, and community leaders have demanded more protection and better policies for children.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
