France's Constitutional Court on Friday struck down a law that would have banned children under 15 from using social media platforms, ruling that the legislation unconstitutionally restricts fundamental rights. The decision marks a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron's administration, which had championed the measure as a landmark child protection effort.
The ruling comes just weeks after France became the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on children's access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Both chambers of Parliament had overwhelmingly approved the legislation, which also included a ban on mobile phones in high schools. Macron had pushed for the law to take effect at the start of the new school year in September.
What the Right Is Saying
Civil liberties organizations and digital rights advocates welcomed the Constitutional Council's decision as a victory for fundamental freedoms. They argued that age-based restrictions represent government overreach into family decisions about technology use and communication access.
The French Association of Digital Rights (LDN) called the original law 'a disproportionate response to legitimate concerns' and urged lawmakers to pursue less restrictive alternatives, such as enhanced platform accountability mechanisms or mandatory parental consent requirements rather than outright bans. Privacy advocates contend that blanket prohibitions could push young users toward unregulated platforms or VPNs, potentially exposing them to greater risks.
Some conservative commentators supported the ban's aims but criticized its drafting, arguing that better-crafted legislation could withstand constitutional scrutiny while still protecting children from harmful content.
What the Left Is Saying
Child welfare advocates and supporters of the ban argued that France was leading Europe in confronting the digital harms facing young people. The legislation reflected growing scientific consensus about the effects of social media on adolescent brain development and mental health, proponents said.
President Macron expressed frustration with the ruling but signaled continued commitment to the policy's goals. In a statement following the decision, he said his administration remains 'fully determined' to implement child protection measures by spring. He tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with drafting a revised proposal that addresses constitutional concerns while maintaining alignment with European legal frameworks.
Children's safety organizations praised the original intent of the law even as they acknowledged the need for legal revision. Groups including e-Enfance, a French nonprofit focused on digital wellness among youth, have long argued that platform companies have failed to self-regulate effectively and that government intervention is necessary.
What the Numbers Show
France is not alone in grappling with youth social media regulation. Australia enacted age verification requirements in 2024, and several U.S. states have passed similar measures facing legal challenges. The European Union's Digital Services Act, which took full effect last year, requires platforms to assess risks to minors but does not mandate age-based access bans.
The French measure was notable for its scope—both chambers of Parliament approved it with broad bipartisan support. Macron described the legislation as one of his administration's signature domestic initiatives before his term ends next year.
The Bottom Line
The Constitutional Council's ruling forces France back to the drafting table on youth digital protection policy. Macron has given Prime Minister Lecornu until spring to produce a revised proposal that satisfies constitutional requirements while achieving the original goal of restricting children's access to social media platforms.
Observers note that any replacement legislation must navigate both French constitutional protections for expression and communication, as well as the broader European legal framework governing digital services. The outcome could set precedent across the EU for how member states balance child protection with fundamental rights in the age of social media.