France strikes down under-15 social media ban
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The gist
France's Constitutional Council struck down the under-15 social media ban on Aug 14, citing disproportionate infringement.
The ruling blocks a Macron flagship law, but the government vows to rewrite it.
Background
France's parliament passed a law in July 2026 banning children under 15 from social media, a flagship initiative of President Macron, aiming to protect minors from online harms. The law was due to take effect on September 1, but the Constitutional Council, which reviews laws for constitutionality, struck down the key article on August 14, ruling it disproportionately infringed freedom of expression and created a privacy issue by requiring age verification for all users.
How it unfolded
- Jul 21, 2026Parliament gives final approval to the law banning under-15s from social media and banning phones in high schools.
- Aug 14, 2026Constitutional Council strikes down Article 1 (the social media ban), citing disproportionate infringement on freedom of expression and privacy concerns; the school phone ban survives.
- Aug 14, 2026President Macron tasks Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with reworking the legislation, aiming for implementation by spring 2027.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The government says it will rewrite the law quickly, respecting the court's decision and the EU framework, to still achieve the ban by spring 2027.
- Court
- The Constitutional Council ruled the ban was not appropriate, necessary, or proportionate, and that it required all users to prove age, infringing privacy.
- Support
- Supporters of the ban argue it is needed to protect children from anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and online harassment.
- Caution
- Critics and the court caution that the ban is too broad and could have unintended consequences for freedom of expression and privacy.