French President Emmanuel Macron announced that via a 30-second TikTok video and an Instagram video that a new Culture Pass program for 18-year-olds will release nationwide after a successful trial in 14 areas in the nation. About 800,000 18-year-olds a year will be able to download an app and get €300 (the equivalent of about 365 United States dollars) to be used for movie theatre tickets, museum and theater passes, or to purchase books, comics, art supplies, video games, and musical instruments. According to local media sources, the most popular choices in the trial program were books, movie tickets, and musical instruments.

Once 18-year-olds download the app and register for an account, they will have 2 years to spend the money before the remaining amount expires. The trial program originally provided a €500 (About 610 US dollars) pass, but the French government decided to instead give €200 (About 240 US dollars) from the in €500 amount in annual chunks to 14- and 15-year-olds.

The Culture Pass was a campaign promise made by President Macron in 2017. While the latest move was praised by some for helping provide teens with new opportunities to experience the arts, some critics say that the move is a tactic to attract new voters in next year's presidential election. Some critics also say that the age limits are unfair, as some people who very recently turned 19 are unfortunately ineligible for the program. 

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