France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s

France’s Constitutional Council has overturned a proposed ban on social media use for children under 15, ruling that the measure violates freedom of expression. The legislation, endorsed by French lawmakers in July, would have made France the first European country to block minors from accessing online platforms, a step taken amid growing worries about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. Friday’s decision nullifies the ban that President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to roll out in stages beginning in September. In response, Macron immediately instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised draft that addresses every point raised by the council. After legislators passed the bill last month, Lecornu submitted sections of it to the Constitutional Council—a nine‑member body tasked with reviewing laws for constitutional compliance—for examination. The council stated that Article 1 of the bill “constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate” to the freedom of expression and communication for under‑15s. It also warned that the law’s demand for proof of age to use online services lacked sufficient legal safeguards. Macron’s office said the government will act “as rapidly as possible” to introduce a new proposal and affirmed the president’s determination to see the reform put into effect by early 2027. The original text had barred under‑15s from opening new accounts starting in September, with verification required for each fresh registration, and would have extended the rule to existing accounts from January. Critics have repeatedly challenged the proposal’s feasibility, citing privacy risks, doubts about the reliability of age‑verification tools, the likelihood of minors circumventing the restrictions, and the speed with which the ban was drafted and enacted. Australia became the first nation to enact a social media ban for users under 16 in December, although it is wide acknowledged that galore successful the state proceed to usage the platforms. Across Europe, moves to limit young people’s access to social media have accelerated in recent months. In May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated a a "social media delay" for children successful the EU, suggesting that forthcoming legislation could be adopted within months. In the UK, former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in June that under-16s successful the UK volition beryllium banned from societal media from January 2027. An optional midnight curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17 was also revealed.