France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s

What the report says

France’s Constitutional Council has blocked a law that would have barred children under 15 from using social media, ruling that the measure would have unreasonably limited freedom of expression and communication. The decision overturns legislation that French lawmakers approved in July and which had been set to roll out in stages, beginning in September. The court also flagged concerns about the bill’s age-verification requirements and said the safeguards around them were not adequate.

The case has become a major test of how far European governments can go in tightening access to social platforms amid growing concern about youth mental health, online harms and privacy. France had been poised to become the first European country to impose such a ban, while other governments, including in Australia and the UK, have also moved toward stricter rules for younger users.

President Emmanuel Macron responded by asking Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised draft that addresses the council’s objections. According to the BBC, Macron’s office said the government wants to move quickly and still aims to see the reform in place by early 2027. More broadly, the ruling highlights the legal and practical challenges of enforcing age limits online, particularly around verification and whether young people can easily bypass restrictions.