France Court Blocks Social Media Ban for Under 15s

France’s Constitutional Council has blocked legislation that would have prohibited children under 15 from accessing social media, ruling that the measure disproportionately restricted freedom of expression and failed to provide sufficient safeguards for privacy.

The decision is a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who has instructed his government to rewrite the legislation and address the concerns raised by the country’s highest constitutional authority.

Under the proposed law, children younger than 15 would have been prohibited from opening social media accounts from September 1. Existing accounts belonging to under 15s would have been required to close within four months, while social media platforms would have been required to introduce age verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator.

The Constitutional Council said the legislation required users to prove their age without clearly defining the conditions and limits governing how such information would be provided. It concluded that the provisions placed disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression and communication while failing to provide adequate legal protections for privacy.

French lawmakers approved the legislation in July, making France the first European country to pursue a nationwide social media ban for children under 15. The move followed Australia’s introduction of a world first ban restricting social media access for users under 16.

Several countries, including China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, have also introduced or considered measures aimed at limiting young people’s access to social media.

The European Union has separately indicated that it plans to strengthen protections for children from potentially harmful features on social media platforms.

Technology companies have generally opposed blanket restrictions, arguing that existing safeguards and age limits can provide protection for younger users. However, major platforms have also said they would comply with government requirements.

Following the ruling, Macron directed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to revise the legislation in response to the Constitutional Council’s concerns.

The Elysee Palace said Macron remains determined to have the reform implemented before France’s presidential election in spring 2027. Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.