FRANCE’S CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL STRIKES DOWN CHILD SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

Mon 17 August 2026:

France’s Constitutional Council on Friday struck down the government’s effort to ban under-15s from using social media, dealing a significant blow to President Emmanuel Macron.

The council – the highest constitutional authority in the country – said the bill constitutes a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and communication.

The bill passed in the French parliament in July with a large majority and represented one of Macron’s final legislative accomplishments before his second term ends next year. The ban was due to take effect in September.

But the council ruled that the regulation was too broad and could also cover services where risks to minors have not been proven.

Furthermore, the law does not sufficiently protect users’ privacy in relation to necessary age verification checks, the body said.

Macron nevertheless intends to press ahead with the legislation. He has tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with drafting a legally sound revised version.

The reform is to be implemented by spring 2027 if possible, taking into account the Constitutional Council’s decision and European law, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.

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why many governments want to ban under-15s (or under-16s) from social media

Social media is designed to keep users scrolling for as long as possible. For children under 15, whose brains are still developing, this creates serious risks.

Key concerns include rising rates of anxiety, depression, poor body image, and sleep problems linked to heavy use. Algorithms push addictive content, cyberbullying, and sometimes harmful or explicit material. Young users are also more vulnerable to online predators and constant social comparison.

Excessive screen time can disrupt attention, real-world friendships, and outdoor play — activities critical for healthy development. Parents often struggle to control access, and voluntary safety measures by platforms have proven insufficient.

Countries like Australia (under-16 ban), France (under-15), the UK, and others argue a clear age limit is needed to protect children during this vulnerable stage, similar to restrictions on alcohol or cigarettes. The goal is to give kids more time for offline childhood before they face the full pressures of social media.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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