France’s Top Court Blocks Social Media Ban for Under-15s
France’s plan to prevent children under 15 from using social media has hit a major legal setback after the country’s Constitutional Council ruled that the proposed restrictions violated fundamental freedoms.
The legislation, approved by French lawmakers in July, was intended to make France the first European country to introduce a nationwide social media age ban for under-15s.
The government had planned to begin implementing the restrictions in stages from September, but Friday’s ruling has put those plans on hold.
Why Was the Ban Rejected?
The Constitutional Council, France’s nine-member body responsible for checking whether legislation complies with the constitution, found that the central provision of the law placed disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression and communication.
The council also raised concerns about the requirement for users to prove their age before accessing online services, saying the legislation did not provide sufficient legal safeguards.
The decision effectively blocks the version of the law approved by parliament.
Macron Wants a New Plan
French President Emmanuel Macron had strongly supported the proposed restrictions and had pledged to introduce them gradually.
Following the ruling, Macron immediately called on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised version of the legislation.
The president’s office said the government remained committed to the reform and wanted a new proposal in place as quickly as possible, with the aim of implementing new measures by early 2027.
For now, however, children under 15 will not face the proposed blanket ban under the legislation that was struck down.
Concerns Over Privacy and Age Verification
The proposed restrictions had faced criticism even before reaching the Constitutional Council.
Opponents questioned whether age-verification technology could work effectively without creating new privacy risks. There were also concerns that teenagers could simply find ways around the restrictions.
Under the original plan, users under 15 would have been prevented from opening new social media accounts from September, while existing accounts would have been covered by the restrictions from January.
The debate highlights one of the biggest challenges facing governments trying to make social media safer for children: protecting young users without creating excessive restrictions on privacy and freedom of expression.
Europe Is Taking a Harder Line on Social Media
France is not alone in considering tougher rules for young people online.
Australia introduced a ban on social media accounts for under-16s in December, although questions remain over how effectively the restrictions have prevented teenagers from accessing platforms.
Across Europe, governments and EU institutions are also exploring new ways to limit children's exposure to social media.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a possible “social media delay” for children, while the UK has announced plans to restrict social media access for under-16s from January 2027.
The Debate Is Far From Over
France’s court ruling does not necessarily mean the end of efforts to restrict children's access to social media.
Instead, it could force lawmakers to find a different balance between child safety, privacy and individual freedoms.
For parents and technology companies, the debate is likely to continue. And for young users, France's decision could become an important example of just how difficult it is for governments to regulate social media without crossing constitutional boundaries.
Keywords: France social media ban, under-15 social media ban, France social media law, French Constitutional Council, Emmanuel Macron, social media restrictions, children and social media, social media age limit, online safety, social media regulation, technology news, Europe tech news