Social media ban for under-15s in France struck down

Social media ban for under-15s in France struck down

France's Constitutional Council has ruled that the core provision of a law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media is unconstitutional.
The Council held that such a blanket ban excessively restricts freedom of expression and communication. It also noted that the law failed to take into account children's age, level of maturity, and family circumstances.
The law had been passed by parliament in July and was scheduled to take effect on September 1.
However, President Emmanuel Macron stated that he would not abandon the initiative. He has ordered the drafting of a new bill and expressed his intention to restrict social media use for children under 15 through a different legal mechanism by the spring of 2027.