Macron pushes for stricter social media rules for minors following Australia's lead

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to introduce stricter regulations for minors' access to social networks, following Australia's recent ban on under-16s. Macron positions himself as a pioneer in youth protection, yet his own heavy use of platforms like TikTok (7 million followers), Instagram (6.3 million), and LinkedIn for self-promotion reveals a dual stance. The article highlights the irony of Macron's carefully staged 'candid' videos, which are actually produced by his team and show him walking through Paris while on the phone, appearing unguarded but trailed by bodyguards. These clips serve to boost his image while he simultaneously advocates for tighter controls on youth social media use. The piece critiques this contradiction, noting that Macron values social media for his self-staging even as he seeks to restrict it for younger users.