France’s top constitutional authority has struck down a bill that sought to prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media, ruling that the proposed restrictions disproportionately infringe upon freedom of expression.
The court determined that the draft law was overly broad and failed to consider either the individual situation of each minor or the varying levels of risk across different digital services. Judges also highlighted serious privacy concerns, pointing out that enforcing such a measure would force all users including adults to verify their identity online.
In its decision, the court acknowledged the legitimate objective of protecting young people online, but noted:”the draft bill infringes freedom of expression and communication in a manner that is not appropriate, necessary or proportionate”
The court further highlighted the broader technical implications of the proposed mandate:”the law itself implies that every person, even an adult, must prove their age before accessing social media platforms”
French lawmakers had previously voted overwhelmingly in favor of the measure, which would have established the country as the first in the European Union to enforce such an age restriction.
Following the court’s ruling, the executive branch reiterated its commitment to the initiative.
President Emmanuel Macron tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with revising the draft proposal “as quickly as possible,” with the objective of implementing a legally sound framework by spring 2027.
The legal challenge reflects a broader global debate over digital safeguards for minors, as several governments continue to evaluate minimum age requirements for social media access following similar restrictions enacted in Australia.