15-08-2026
France’s Constitutional Council has blocked legislation that would have banned children under 15 from opening social-media accounts, ruling that the measure unjustifiably infringed on freedom of expression and communication. The law, approved by French lawmakers in July, was intended to address concerns about the damaging effects of social media on children’s mental health. It would have made France the first European country to impose such a restriction.
The ban was due to begin in stages from September under a plan supported by President Emmanuel Macron. New accounts belonging to under-15s would have been prohibited, with age verification required for all new users. From January, the restrictions would also have applied to existing accounts. However, the Constitutional Council found that the legislation’s central provision was neither appropriate, necessary nor proportionate. It also objected to requirements for users to prove their age, saying the law lacked sufficient legal safeguards.
Macron has asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised bill that addresses the council’s concerns. The president’s office said the government would act quickly and that Macron remained committed to implementing the reform by early 2027.
Critics had already questioned whether the law could work in practice. Their concerns included privacy, the reliability of age-verification technology, the possibility that children could bypass restrictions, and the speed with which the legislation was developed. The ruling comes amid growing international efforts to limit young people’s access to social media. Australia introduced a ban for under-16s in December, although many young Australians reportedly continue to use the platforms. In Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed delaying children’s access to social media, while the UK has announced plans to ban under-16s from social media from January 2027.
Entities: Constitutional Council of France, Emmanuel Macron, Sébastien Lecornu, France, French lawmakers • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
15-08-2026
France’s Constitutional Council has struck down the central provision of a law that would have banned social media access for children under 15. The legislation, backed by President Emmanuel Macron and scheduled to take effect September 1, would have prevented younger users from accessing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. The Council ruled that Article 1 unjustifiably infringed on the freedom of expression and communication of people under 15, describing the restriction as neither appropriate, necessary nor proportionate. It also raised privacy concerns about requiring all users to undergo age verification.
The ruling is a setback for Macron, who has made online child safety a major issue during the final years of his presidency. The Élysée Palace said Macron had instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a new, legally robust version of the legislation as quickly as possible. The revised proposal will have to comply with both the Constitutional Council’s decision and the broader European regulatory framework. The presidency said Macron remained determined to implement the reform.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who supported the ban, said he respected the ruling but vowed to continue opposing what he called a “deadly poison for our children.” The Council did not invalidate a separate provision that would prohibit mobile phone use in French high schools beginning September 1. Students are already barred from carrying phones in elementary and middle schools.
France’s effort comes amid growing international concern about social media’s effects on young people, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and online harassment. The ruling leaves the government seeking a revised approach that protects children while addressing constitutional rights and user privacy.
Entities: France, Constitutional Council, Emmanuel Macron, Sébastien Lecornu, Élysée Palace • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
15-08-2026
France’s Constitutional Council, the country’s highest constitutional authority, has blocked legislation that would have prohibited children under 15 from opening social media accounts. The court ruled that the measure disproportionately restricted freedom of expression and communication and failed to provide adequate legal safeguards for users’ privacy. In particular, it found that the age-verification requirement did not clearly establish the conditions and limits governing the collection and use of personal information.
The law, approved by French lawmakers in July, was scheduled to take effect on September 1. It would have required platforms to prevent new accounts for users under 15, close existing accounts within four months, and use an age-verification system approved by France’s privacy regulator. France had been set to become the first European Union country to adopt a blanket social-media ban for under-15s, amid concerns about the effects of digital platforms on children.
The decision comes as other countries pursue similar policies. Australia introduced restrictions on major platforms for users under 16 in December, while China, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey have introduced or proposed measures limiting young people’s access. The European Union is also planning stronger protections against harmful features on social media.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he remained committed to the policy and instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to rewrite the legislation in a way that addresses the court’s objections and complies with European law. Macron wants a revised measure to take effect before spring 2027, ahead of France’s presidential election, although he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
Entities: France, Constitutional Council of France, Emmanuel Macron, Sébastien Lecornu, French Parliament • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
