Saturday, August 15, 2026 - France’s top constitutional authority has struck down a bill that sought to prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media, ruling that the proposed restrictions disproportionately infringe upon freedom of expression
The court determined that the draft law was overly broad and
failed to consider either the individual situation of each minor or the varying
levels of risk across different digital services. Judges also highlighted
serious privacy concerns, pointing out that enforcing such a measure would
force all users including adults to verify their identity online.
In its decision, the court acknowledged the legitimate
objective of protecting young people online, but noted:"the draft bill
infringes freedom of expression and communication in a manner that is not
appropriate, necessary or proportionate"
The court further highlighted the broader technical
implications of the proposed mandate:"the law itself implies that every
person, even an adult, must prove their age before accessing social media
platforms"
French lawmakers had previously voted overwhelmingly in
favor of the measure, which would have established the country as the first in
the European Union to enforce such an age restriction.
Following the court's ruling, the executive branch
reiterated its commitment to the initiative.
President Emmanuel Macron tasked Prime Minister Sébastien
Lecornu with revising the draft proposal "as quickly as possible,"
with the objective of implementing a legally sound framework by spring 2027.
The legal challenge reflects a broader global debate over
digital safeguards for minors, as several governments continue to evaluate
minimum age requirements for social media access following similar restrictions
enacted in Australia.
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