France’s highest constitutional authority has blocked a planned social media ban for children under 15, finding that the restrictions went too far in limiting freedom of expression and did not provide sufficient safeguards for users’ privacy.
September Social Media Restrictions Halted
The ruling interrupts one of Europe’s most ambitious efforts to limit children’s access to major online platforms.
The BBC reported that French lawmakers approved the legislation in July, putting France on course to become the first European country to block younger users from social media over concerns about harmful effects on children’s mental health. President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to introduce the restrictions in stages beginning in September.
The Guardian said the law would have prevented people younger than 15 from opening social media accounts from the beginning of September, while platforms would have been required to close existing accounts within four months. Companies would also have needed to use age-verification technology approved by France’s privacy regulator.
The original rollout envisioned age verification for all new accounts from September, with the requirement extending to existing accounts from January.
Age Verification Raised Privacy Concerns
The Constitutional Council did not reject the idea that children may require greater online protection. Its objection centered on how broadly the legislation restricted access and how age checks would work.
The Guardian reported that the council found the law required users to prove their age without adequately specifying the “conditions and limits” governing that verification.
The ruling concluded that the legislation failed to establish the “legal safeguards necessary” around proof-of-age requirements for accessing online services. Opponents had also raised questions about the effectiveness of age-verification tools, privacy risks, the possibility that teenagers could bypass controls, and the speed at which the measure had been developed.
Macron Orders a New Draft
The court defeat does not appear to have ended Macron’s effort.
The BBC reported that Macron immediately asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a new version addressing all of the Constitutional Council’s objections. Lecornu had previously referred parts of the law to the nine-member council, which determines whether legislation complies with France’s constitution.
The Élysée said Macron remains determined to have the reform take effect before spring 2027, when France holds its next presidential election. Macron cannot run for a third term.
France Joins a Wider Global Debate
France’s legal setback comes as governments worldwide experiment with stronger age restrictions.
Australia barred under-16s from leading platforms in December 2025, covering Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. Indonesia and Malaysia have also introduced restrictions for younger users, while European policymakers are considering broader protections.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a “social media delay” for children in May, while similar restrictions have been gaining momentum elsewhere in Europe.
The French ruling therefore does not settle the debate over children and social media. Instead, it establishes a tougher legal test for governments pursuing blanket age bans: protecting young users may be a legitimate objective, but any restrictions must also respect expression, privacy and the practical limits of proving someone’s age online.
