France’s Top Court Blocks Under-15 Social Media Ban, Defying Macron’s Push

France’s Constitutional Council has blocked a law banning social media access for children under 15, handing President Emmanuel Macron a setback after French lawmakers approved one of Europe’s toughest youth social media restrictions.
 

TL;DR

 

• France’s Constitutional Council struck down the under-15 social media ban over freedom of expression and privacy concerns.
• The law was due to block new accounts from September 1 and close existing underage accounts within four months.
• Macron has ordered the government to rewrite the legislation and wants the reform in place before spring 2027.

 

France’s Constitutional Council Rejects Under-15 Social Media Ban Over Privacy And Free Speech

The bill would have prevented children younger than 15 from opening social media accounts from September 1. Platforms would also have needed to close existing underage accounts within four months and use age-verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator.

However, the Constitutional Council found that the law required users to prove their age without sufficiently defining the conditions and limits around that process.

“The Council holds that the contested provisions, on the one hand, disproportionately infringe upon the freedom of expression and communication and, on the other, fail to provide the legal safeguards necessary to ensure the right to respect for private life,” it said.

The ruling halts legislation French lawmakers approved in July and blocks France from becoming the first European country to follow Australia with a nationwide youth social media ban.
 

 

Macron Orders France’s Social Media Ban Rewrite Before Spring 2027

Macron has not dropped the proposal. The Elysee said he instructed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to rewrite the bill to address the Constitutional Council’s concerns.

The French president wants the reform to take effect before spring 2027, when France holds its next presidential election. Macron cannot seek a third term.

The push also reflects a broader global effort to restrict young people’s social media access. China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey have introduced or proposed measures, while the European Union has said it plans stronger protections for children from harmful social media features.

Social media companies generally oppose blanket bans, arguing that age restrictions and other safeguards already protect younger users, though they have also said they would comply with government bans. Google, Meta, Snap and TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
 

 

Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Highlights Enforcement Problems

Australia’s under-16 ban, which took effect in December, is already showing the enforcement challenge France could face if its rewritten law survives legal scrutiny.

Lawmakers are considering doubling maximum penalties to A$99 million as early evidence suggests many minors remain on social platforms. Meta said it had deactivated 756,000 suspected underage Instagram and Facebook accounts, while TikTok said it removed 550,000 accounts when the law began and has since been removing about 24,000 a month.