France: Top watchdog blocks social media ban for children

France's Constitutional Council has dismissed the government's plan to ban social media for children under 15, ruling that the proposed legislation contravenes freedom of expression. The Council found that the new law would require all individuals, including adults, to verify their age before accessing online services, which could infringe on their rights.

The ban would have taken effect from September 1, with platforms given until the beginning of 2027 to delete existing children's accounts. Additionally, the law would have prohibited mobile phone use in high schools and mandated age-verification measures from social media platforms. President Emmanuel Macron has ordered Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to modify the bill to address the Council's concerns ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

This decision follows Australia's recent implementation of a similar ban on social media for under-16s, making it the first such restriction in the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an EU-wide ban on children's social media access, emphasizing the importance of children having time in the real world to develop their identities and personalities independently of algorithms.