France's Top Court Strikes Down Social Media Ban for Under-15s

France's highest constitutional authority has invalidated a proposed law that would have barred children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. The Constitutional Council ruled on Friday that the legislation, as drafted, placed an unreasonable burden on all users by requiring age verification without establishing clear legal protections.

The Council's decision noted that the law, by design, would force every individual—including adults—to prove their age before entering certain online services. However, the judges found that the text failed to define the conditions and limits of such verification, leaving users without adequate legal safeguards against potential misuse of their personal data.

The ruling represents a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the measure as a step toward protecting minors online. In response, the Élysée Palace announced that Macron has directed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to revise the draft legislation to address the Council's objections.

French lawmakers had previously approved the ban, positioning France as the first European nation to follow Australia's lead. Australia enacted a world-first restriction in December, barring under-16s from platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Despite the legal hurdle, the presidency remains committed to enacting the reform before the spring of 2027, when France is scheduled to hold its next presidential election. Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, has made the measure a priority for the remainder of his tenure.