France’s Constitutional Council has overturned a ban on social media for children under 15, arguing it violates freedom of expression.
The rule, proposed by lawmakers in July amid worries about children’s mental health, would have barred minors from creating new accounts from September 2026 and de‑activated existing ones from January 2027.
The ruling came after President Emmanuel Macron pledged the ban would roll out in stages from September. Following the decision, he asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to develop a new draft that meets the Council’s objections.
The Constitutional Council said Article 1 of the legislation “constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate” to the freedom of expression and communication of under‑15s, and criticised the age‑verification requirement for being insufficient.
The government will push for a revised version by early 2027, stating its commitment to balance protection of young users with constitutional rights.
Opponents have long questioned the law’s practicality, citing privacy concerns and the possibility of teenagers circumventing controls.
Similar bans in other parts of Europe are gaining momentum – for instance, Australia introduced a ban for users under 16 in December 2025, and the UK will prohibit under‑16s from social media from January 2027, with a proposed midnight curfew for 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds.
The Constitutional Council’s decision underscores the challenge of shielding vulnerable youth while respecting democratic freedoms in the digital age.
