France's constitutional council has struck down a law that would have banned under-15s from opening social media accounts, ruling that the restrictions disproportionately infringe freedom of expression and communication and lack sufficient legal safeguards for privacy.
The decision, announced on [date], is a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the legislation as part of a broader push to protect minors online. The law, approved by parliament in July, would have required tech platforms to verify users' ages and close accounts of under-15s within four months.
Constitutional concerns
The council found that while the law mandated age verification, it failed to specify the “conditions and limits” under which this should occur. It also held that the provisions disproportionately infringe upon freedom of expression and communication and do not provide the legal safeguards necessary to ensure the right to respect for private life.
The ruling comes as several countries follow Australia's example, which barred under-16s from leading 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.
Global momentum
In Australia, the affected platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube. The EU has also said it plans to seek stronger protections for children from harmful social media features, building on the digital services act that already sets rules for tech platforms.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said last month that “it is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms”, raising the prospect of “phased and gradual access for different age ranges”. Social media companies generally oppose blanket bans, arguing they already have measures to protect younger users, including a minimum age of 13, and have said they would comply with government restrictions.
Next steps
Macron, who in April urged teenagers to turn off their devices and read, has asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to rework the legislation to address the council's concerns, according to the Élysée. The Élysée said 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.
