France under-15 social media ban struck down

France’s Constitutional Council struck down a planned ban on social media access for children under 15 on Friday, rejecting one of President Emmanuel Macron’s youth-protection reforms while leaving the government to draft a new version.

The council found that Article 1 of the legislation “constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate” to the freedom of expression and communication of people under 15. It also raised concern about the possible privacy impact of introducing an age-verification system for all users.

The measure was due to take effect on September 1 and would have barred younger users from social networks including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. The French government had promoted it as a way to protect young people from harmful effects associated with social media platforms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and online harassment.

After the ruling, the Elysee Palace said Macron had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with working “as quickly as possible” on a new “legally robust draft” that takes account of the council’s decision and the European regulatory framework. The presidency said Macron remained determined to implement the reform.

Gabriel Attal, Macron’s former prime minister and a supporter of the proposal, said on X that he respected the decision but would continue fighting against what he called “a deadly poison for our children”.

The Constitutional Council did not rule on a separate provision banning mobile phone use in high schools from September 1.

In a separate ruling on another major Macron-backed reform, the council approved legislation establishing a right to assisted dying for some adults with incurable conditions, while saying certain provisions needed clarification.