France's top court rejects proposed ban on social media for children under 15
France's Constitutional Council has struck down a government-backed bill that would have banned social media use for children under 15, ruling it would disproportionately restrict freedom of expression and communication.
France's Constitutional Council has rejected the government's attempt to pass a law banning the use of social media platforms by children under the age of 15. The ruling means the proposed ban will not take effect.
Court's reasoning
The Constitutional Council, France's highest authority on such constitutional matters, found that the proposed legislation would have constituted a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and communication. This principle is considered a fundamental right in France, and the court concluded that a blanket ban targeting a specific age group failed to meet the requirement of proportionality.
Background
The bill was part of broader government efforts to limit children's and teenagers' access to social media, driven by concerns over the impact of digital platforms on young people's psychological wellbeing and development. Similar initiatives have been debated in several European countries in recent years, though implementation has often run into legal obstacles tied to the protection of fundamental rights.
The ruling means the French government will need to explore alternative approaches if it wants to continue regulating minors' access to social media without infringing on constitutionally protected freedoms.
