French Constitutional Council Blocks Under‑15 Social‑Media Ban

The Constitutional Council on Tuesday blocked a bill that would have barred people under 15 from using any social‑media platform, ruling that the proposed restriction infringed upon France’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Council Ruling

The Council said the draft would violate the principle of freedom of expression, the cornerstone of the French constitution, and therefore could not be adopted.^[1][2][5]

Macron’s Reaction

The decision dealt a blow to President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the measure as part of a broader strategy to protect children online. He has now asked his prime minister to rewrite the bill and insists it will be back in force before the presidential election next spring.^[2][3]

Implications

The Constitutional Council’s powers include striking down legislation that conflicts with the constitution. By halting the under‑15 ban, the court delayed any immediate restriction on minors’ internet use and left legislators to debate whether a narrower approach might satisfy both safety concerns and constitutional rights.^[1]