France’s Constitutional Court has struck down a law that would have barred children under 15 from social media, ruling that the measure disproportionately infringed on freedom of expression and raised privacy concerns over age verification.
The decision, announced on Friday, overturns a provision that was part of a broader digital regulation bill. The court found that the ban, while intended to protect minors, was not proportionate to the goal of safeguarding children online.
In its ruling, the court highlighted that the age verification system required by the law could compromise user privacy and that less restrictive alternatives existed. It also noted that the ban could unduly limit young people’s access to information and their ability to participate in public discourse.
Following the ruling, the French government said it would draft a revised bill to address the court’s concerns. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly cited worries about the impact of social media on children’s mental and physical health, and his administration remains committed to introducing new safeguards.
Legal experts say the decision reflects a broader judicial caution about regulating online speech and privacy, even when the stated aim is child protection.
The government’s next proposal will need to strike a delicate balance between protecting minors and upholding fundamental rights, a challenge that courts across Europe are increasingly confronting.
