France’s top court has blocked a ban on social media access for under-15s, ruling that it infringed freedom of expression and privacy. The decision is a blow to President Emmanuel Macron as momentum builds around the world for Australian-style restrictions on children’s use of social media.
A law approved by parliament in July would have barred under-15s from opening social media accounts from the beginning of September. Tech platforms would also have been required to close existing accounts within four months and use age-verification tools approved by France’s privacy regulator. However, the constitutional council found that while the law required users to provide proof of age, it failed to specify the conditions and limits under which this should happen.
The council also found that the restrictions infringed freedom of expression and privacy. The council holds that the contested provisions, on the one hand, disproportionately infringe upon the freedom of expression and communication and, on the other, fail to provide the legal safeguards necessary to ensure the right to respect for private life.
Several countries have followed the example of Australia, which barred under-16s from leading social media platforms in December last year. Indonesia and Malaysia have introduced restrictions for under-16s on certain platforms, while the UK is preparing to block leading apps for the same age group next year. The EU has also said it plans to seek stronger protections for children from harmful social media features.
Macron has asked the French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, to rework the legislation to address the constitutional council’s concerns. Macron remained determined for the reform to take effect before spring 2027, when France holds its presidential election. Macron is ineligible to stand for a third term.
