French teen social media ban struck down by top constitutional authority

France's top constitutional authority has ruled against a new ban on social media access for children under 15, dealing a setback to President Emmanuel Macron's legislation. The Constitutional Council deemed Article 1 of the law to be inappropriate, unnecessary, and disproportionate to protecting the freedom of expression and communication of young people. The ruling also raised concerns about privacy implications of implementing an age-verification system for all users.

The ban, set to take effect on September 1, would have prohibited younger users from accessing platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Macron had defended the legislation as a means to safeguard young people from the potential negative impacts of social media, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and online harassment. He thanked lawmakers for their support and pledged to enforce the ban upon its implementation.

In response to the ruling, the Elysee Palace announced that Macron had instructed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to draft a new, legally sound version of the bill. Lecornu must complete this task promptly, considering both the Constitutional Council's decision and European regulatory requirements. Macron's commitment to the reform remains strong, as online child safety has been a significant issue during the final years of his presidency.

He cannot seek re-election in the April 2027 national election, as France imposes a two-term limit for its presidents.

Macron's former prime minister, Gabriel Attal, who initially supported the proposal, expressed disappointment with the ruling. He acknowledged the decision and vowed to continue advocating for measures to protect children from what he described as "a deadly poison." The Constitutional Council did not rule on a separate provision that bans mobile phone use in high schools, which is already in effect for elementary and middle schools.

Many nations are grappling with the challenge of balancing the benefits and risks of social media use among children.