French Court Rejects Ban on Social Media for Children

France’s highest court, the Constitutional Council, blocked a bill on Friday that would have banned people under the age of 15 from accessing social media. The court ruled that the legislation unduly infringed on freedom of expression.

According to the ruling, a blanket ban would require all users, including adults, to verify their age before accessing the platforms. However, lawmakers failed to provide sufficient legal safeguards and conditions to ensure that such verification procedures would comply with constitutional rights.

The decision represents a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron. By passing the law, France was set to become the first country in Europe to follow Australia’s example, where a strict ban on social media for minors under 16 has been in effect since December.

In a statement, the president’s office said Macron had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with revising the bill so that it fully respects the Constitutional Council’s reservations. Macron remains determined to implement this reform before spring 2027, when the presidential election will take place.

(Reuters, Max)