France: Top Court Blocks Social Media Ban for Children
The Constitutional Council says banning social media for under-15s would violate freedom of expression.
France's Constitutional Council has ruled against the government's plan to ban social media for children under 15, according to DW. The council determined that the law, a cornerstone of President Emmanuel Macron's second term, violates freedom of expression. It stated that the legislation inherently necessitates individuals, including adults, to verify their age before accessing online services.
The council also found that the law lacked clear rules on how age verification should be carried out and what limitations should be enforced, indicating insufficient legal safeguards. President Macron has directed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to amend the bill, aiming to meet the Constitutional Council's concerns before the 2027 presidential election.
France was the first country in Europe to propose such a ban, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently pledged to pursue an EU-wide social media ban for children, prioritizing real-world experiences over algorithmic influence on young minds. Other countries, including Brazil, the UK, Canada, Norway, and Denmark, are also considering similar measures.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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