In brief
France’s top legal authority upheld the right to online access for under‑15s, striking down a new ban that would have barred them from social media platforms. The decision came after the Constitutional Council identified the ban as overly restrictive and lacking sufficient legal safeguards. President Macron called on the government to draft a new law by early 2027, while lawmakers debate the viability of age‑verification tools. The ruling aligns France with other European nations contemplating stricter limits on minors’ digital engagement.
France’s Constitutional Council, the nine‑member body that checks laws against the constitution, ruled on Friday that a new ban on social media for children under 15 is an infringement on freedom of expression.
The legislation, passed by lawmakers in July, would have prohibited anyone younger than 15 from opening new accounts on platforms like TikTok or Instagram and required strict age verification for any existing users.
In its judgement, the Council found the ban “neither appropriate nor proportionate” to the right of minors to communicate online, and criticized the lack of adequate safeguards.
President Emmanuel Macron has already pledged to introduce the measure in stages from September, and the ruling forces him to rethink the approach. He asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised draft that addresses the Council’s concerns.
France is not alone in grappling with children’s digital exposure. Australia instituted a ban on users under 16 last December, though many young people continue to find ways around it. The European Commission is also considering a child‑delay policy, and the UK has announced a draft of its own ban for under‑16s from January 2027.
