France Court Overturns Children’s Social Media Ban Proposal
France’s Constitutional Council has struck down a proposed ban on social media access for children under the age of 15. This decision challenges President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to enforce the legislation meant to protect young people. The Council ruled that Article 1 of the proposed law infringed on the freedom of expression and communication for those under 15. The ruling also expressed concerns about privacy linked to the potential introduction of an age-verification system for all users.
The legislation, slated to begin on September 1, aimed to prevent younger users from accessing platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The French government promoted this ban as a measure against social media’s harmful effects, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and online harassment. In July, Macron had thanked Parliament for supporting the bill and vowed to implement it by September.
“We take note of it and respect this decision, which applies to everyone,” said Gabriel Attal, Macron’s former prime minister, who expressed disappointment over the ruling.
In response to the Council’s decision, Macron assigned Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu the task of drafting a new version of the legislation. This new draft must consider both the Council’s ruling and the European regulatory framework, while maintaining Macron’s resolve to enforce the reform. Macron has focused on online child safety as a key issue of his presidency’s later years, and he aims for this ban to be among his last major domestic reforms.
Macron, who marks a decade in office next year, cannot run in the upcoming national election in April due to France’s two consecutive term limit for presidents. The Constitutional Council did not address a separate provision in the legislation concerning a ban on mobile phone use in high schools beginning September 1. Phones are already banned in French elementary and middle schools.
Globally, countries increasingly restrict social media access in response to warnings about its negative impact on children.