France's Constitutional Council has blocked a bill that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The top court ruled that the law disproportionately infringed on freedom of expression and privacy, stating the restriction was not appropriate, necessary, or proportionate. The council also raised concerns regarding age verification.
The decision is a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the legislation citing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental and physical health. France had recently become the first European Union country to pass such a blanket ban, which was scheduled to take effect on September 1.
Despite the ruling, President Macron remains determined to implement the reform. He has tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with drafting a new, legally robust version of the bill that addresses the court's concerns. Macron vowed to pass the revised legislation before he leaves office next spring and before the next presidential election.