The French Constitutional Council struck down a general ban on social media use for children under 15 on Friday, ruling the measure creates a disproportionate infringement on the freedom of expression for minors. According to MTI, the court found the first article of a law passed in July to be unnecessary and inappropriate regarding the communication rights of young people.
Constitutional Council Rejects Social Media Ban for Under-15s
The Constitutional Council ruled that while protecting the best interests of children is a constitutional requirement, the broad nature of the ban was unjustified. The judges noted that the law applied to online communication services where risks to the health and safety of minors have not been proven, according to MTI.
The original legislation included limited exceptions for digital projects used for education and online encyclopedias. However, the law required platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube to implement age verification for interactive features, such as comment sections and sharing channels. Purely viewing videos or sending private messages remained exempt from the ban, MTI reports.
Did you know? The Constitutional Council did not change the separate ban on mobile phone use in schools, which took effect on September 1.
Macron Orders New Legal Framework for Social Media Restrictions
President Emmanuel Macron responded to the court’s decision on Friday by tasking Sébastien Lecornu with drafting a new, legally robust text. The presidential office stated in a communiqué that Macron remains committed to implementing this reform by the spring of 2027, coinciding with the end of his mandate.
Sébastien Lecornu must now develop a proposal that aligns with both the Constitutional Council’s ruling and the existing European legal framework. This follows months of parliamentary debate where lawmakers focused on precise wording to ensure the law could be applied without violating EU regulations, according to MTI.
Global Trends in Minor Access to Social Networks
France’s legal struggle follows a growing global movement to restrict youth access to digital platforms. Australia became the first country to adopt such regulations; hvg.hu reports that since those rules took effect last December, Meta has deleted large numbers of Facebook and Instagram accounts belonging to Australian teenagers.
Other nations are pursuing similar paths. Indonesia has considered measures that could disconnect 72 million people from social media, and the European Union is expected to produce its own proposal on the matter this year, according to hvg.hu.
Comparing Global Regulatory Approaches
| Country/Entity | Regulatory Action | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| France | Under-15 general ban | Struck down; new draft ordered |
| Australia | Youth restrictions | Active; Meta deleting accounts |
| European Union | Youth protection proposal | Expected later this year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children under 15 use social media in France?
Yes. The general ban was overturned by the Constitutional Council because it was deemed an unnecessary infringement on freedom of expression.
Are phones still banned in French schools?
Yes. The Constitutional Council did not alter the ban on mobile phone use in schools that began September 1.
What happens next for the French law?
Sébastien Lecornu is drafting a new version of the law that adheres to constitutional and European standards, with a target completion date by spring 2027.
Join the conversation: Do you believe age-based bans are the best way to protect minors, or should the focus be on platform design? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on digital rights.