2 weeks ago
France's top court blocks under-15 social media ban
France wanted to make a new rule stopping kids under 15 from using social media apps.
But France's highest court said the rule could not become law yet.
The court said the rule would make everyone, even grown-ups, prove how old they are before going online.
The court thought the rule did not explain clearly how age checks would work or protect people's rights.
So the law was sent back to the government to be fixed.
President Emmanuel Macron asked his prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, to write a new version.
France wanted to be the first country in Europe with this rule, following Australia.
Australia already banned kids under 16 from apps like Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Macron wants the new rule ready before the presidential election in spring 2027.
France's Constitutional Council blocked a bill banning social media access for under-15s, saying it infringed on freedom of expression.
The court said the law would require every person, including adults, to prove their age before accessing online services, without specifying legal safeguards for such proof.
French lawmakers had approved the ban, making France the first country in Europe to follow Australia's world-first ban on under-16s.
President Emmanuel Macron ordered Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to rework the draft legislation to address the court's concerns.
The Elysee said Macron is determined the reform takes effect before spring 2027, when France holds a presidential election; Macron cannot run for a third term.
- Who
- France's Constitutional Council, the country's top court; President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu of France
- What
- Blocked a bill banning social media access for under-15s, ruling it infringed upon freedom of expression
- Where
- France
- When
- Friday, Aug 14
- Why
- The court ruled the law would force everyone, including adults, to prove their age online without specifying the conditions and limits under which such proof must be provided
Supporters of the ban
Constitutional Council
Restricting minors' social media access
Supporters of the ban
French lawmakers approved banning social media for under-15s, making France the first in Europe to follow Australia's under-16 ban, and Macron is determined the reform takes effect before spring 2027.
Constitutional Council
The court ruled the ban inherently forces every person, including adults, to prove their age before accessing online services, violating freedom of expression because the law failed to establish legal safeguards for how proof must be provided.
Key facts
- Institution
- Constitutional Council (France's top court)
- Decision
- Blocked bill banning social media access for under-15s
- Reason
- Infringement of freedom of expression; unspecified age-proof safeguards
- Age limit
- Under 15 in France; under 16 in Australia
- Platforms in Australia's ban
- Facebook, TikTok and YouTube
- Government response
- Macron ordered PM Sebastien Lecornu to rewrite the draft legislation
- Target timeline
- Before spring 2027 French presidential election
Quotes
France’s Constitutional Council
Official body that reviews constitutionality of laws in France
“The Council holds that the contested provisions, on the one hand, disproportionately infringe upon the freedom of expression and communication and, on the other, fail to provide the legal safeguards necessary to ensure the right to respect for private life.”
NDTV
“Macron, who in April urged teenagers to turn off their devices and read in order to become better citizens, has ordered Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to rework the draft legislation to take the Constitutional Council's concerns into account.”
NDTV
Sources
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