French Constitutional Council strikes down social media ban for under-15s

Published Aug 14, 01:33 PM UTC

France's Constitutional Council has struck down a law that would have banned social media access for children under 15, ruling that it disproportionately infringed on their freedom of expression and communication. The council found Article 1 of the legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, to be neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate. Macron had thanked parliament for backing the law and pledged enforcement by September. Following the ruling, the Elysee Palace stated that Macron has tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with drafting a new, legally robust version that respects both the council's decision and European regulatory frameworks. The presidency emphasized that Macron's determination to implement the reform remains undiminished. The article notes a growing trend of countries restricting social media access due to concerns over harmful effects on children.