site.btaRomania’s First Lady: Romania Cannot Follow French Model of Banning Social Media for Children

Romania cannot follow the French model of banning social media for children under the age of 15, said Romania’s First Lady, Mirabela Gradinaru, in an interview with Antena 3 CNN.

“I believe that when we make decisions about restricting children’s access to technology, we should do so after discussions with experts, society, and parents. We cannot follow the French model, there must be a balance,” said Gradinaru.

She made the comment immediately after returning from Washington, where she participated in an international meeting dedicated to the digital education of young people. The event was held at the initiative of the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. First ladies from several European countries attended the forum, including the wife of the French president, Brigitte Macron, the wife of the Ukrainian head of state, Olena Zelenska, and Poland’s First Lady, Marta Nawrocka.

The main purpose of Mirabela Gradinaru’s visit was to seek and discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation between the United States and Romania in the field of education, the presidential administration said in a press release also sent to BTA.

In this context, the First Lady also held talks with Lisa Choate, President of the American Councils for International Education - an organization that manages educational exchange programs with Romania, as well as professional development initiatives for both the public and private sectors.

Romania is one of America’s most important allies in Europe, Choate stated during the meeting. According to her, Romania’s participation in co-financing the FLEX Abroad program (a U.S. State Department exchange program that allows American high school students to study abroad for one academic year) sends a clear signal of Romania’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Washington.