France’s Top Court Blocks Under-15 Social Media Ban

France’s Constitutional Council has struck down a bill that would have banned children under 15 from using social media, saying it was drafted too broadly and would have infringed freedom of expression and communication.

In its ruling on Friday, the court said the proposed law could not prevent minors from accessing social media “without infringing upon freedom of expression and communication”. It also found that the bill was not tailored enough to the individual circumstances of each child and to the specific risks posed by different platforms.

The council further cited concerns about privacy. It said the legislation effectively required people of all ages, including adults, to prove their age in order to access social media services, which would raise issues for personal data and privacy.

Lawmakers back proposal, court overturns it

The decision came after French lawmakers voted overwhelmingly last month in favour of the measure. If it had passed in its original form, France would have been the first European Union country to introduce an age limit for social media.

Under France’s constitutional system, bills are examined by the Constitutional Council to ensure they comply with the French constitution. The court’s scrutiny includes assessing whether restrictions are proportionate and whether they interfere appropriately with rights protected under the constitution.

Court cites proportionality and privacy

While the council said the aim of protecting children was legitimate, it concluded that the draft text infringed rights “in a manner that is not appropriate, necessary or proportionate” to that goal.

The ruling also pointed to the blanket nature of the ban. It said the draft did not allow for consideration of each minor’s situation or of the risks that can differ between platforms, rather than applying a uniform restriction.

On privacy, the council argued that the wording of the law would have required proof of age for access to social media “before accessing (social media platforms)”, and that this was problematic even for adults.

Macron orders bill rewritten

After the ruling, French President Emmanuel Macron instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to revise the bill “as quickly as possible”, according to a statement from the president’s office. Macron reiterated his intention to implement the ban by spring 2027.

The government had previously moved to accelerate the legislation through parliament, with the goal of having it in place for the beginning of the school year in September. Lecornu’s task now includes reshaping the proposal so that it can pass constitutional review.

European and global focus on child age limits

The decision arrives as countries worldwide continue to debate whether minimum age rules should be imposed on social media use for younger children.

Australia introduced such restrictions in December. In Britain, the government announced similar measures in June, and the country’s parliament is expected to vote on the proposals by Christmas. Spain, Greece and Denmark are also planning to introduce minimum age limits for social media.

France’s Constitutional Council has now ruled that the version before it did not meet constitutional requirements, particularly on freedom of expression and the necessity of a proportionate approach, as well as the privacy implications of the proposed age checks.

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15 August 2026