Constitutional Council Blocks Macron’s Under-15 Social Media Ban
France’s Constitutional Council has blocked a flagship government bill championed by President Emmanuel Macron that sought to ban social media access for minors under the age of 15. The high court ruled that the measure constituted an disproportionate infringement on young people’s freedom of expression.
High Court Strikes Down Core Legislation Over Privacy Safeguards
The high court issued its decisive ruling, striking down the core article of the legislation that had been definitively adopted by the French parliament in late July. According to the Constitutional Council’s official text, the broad prohibition failed to include adequate legal safeguards for privacy and amounted to a restriction that was neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate.
Magistrates Criticize Blanket Prohibition Without Individual Assessment
Magistrates acknowledged the constitutional requirement to protect the best interests of children, noting that lawmakers retain the power to curb abuses of free expression that threaten public order or minors’ rights. However, the court criticized the blanket nature of the legislation, which would have barred under-15s from major online platforms without assessing individual maturity, family situations, or the specific risks posed by each digital service.
Targeted Platforms and Insufficient Educational Exemptions
The rejected bill was scheduled to take effect on September 1, targeting major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Instagram. It also would have restricted social functions on popular sites such as YouTube, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, and various online video games. While the text provided exemptions for online encyclopedias and educational directories, the court found those exceptions far too limited.
Élysée Palace Directs Prime Minister to Draft Revised Proposal
In response to the setback, the Élysée Palace issued a statement confirming that President Macron has directed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to draft a legally robust revised proposal. Officials emphasized that the administration remains fully determined to implement protective digital reforms before the end of Macron’s presidential mandate in May 2027, working in tandem with the European Commission.
Government Officials Vow to Continue Pursuing Digital Protection Framework
“I acknowledge the Constitutional Council’s decision, but I am not giving up,” said Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood, adding that authorities will continue developing a legally sound framework to make youth digital protection a reality.
