French Constitutional Council rejects social media ban for under-15s, citing freedom of expression concerns
France's Constitutional Council on Friday, August 14, 2026, struck down a proposed ban on social media for children under 15, a key measure from the end of President Emmanuel Macron's term. The Council deemed the ban a "disproportionate infringement" on freedom of expression. Following this decision, President Macron instructed Prime Minister S茅bastien Lecornu to develop a "legally robust" version of the prohibition. The presidency affirmed Macron's "total determination" to implement the reform by spring 2027. The Constitutional Council had been approached by Socialist and radical left deputies regarding Article 1 of the law aimed at protecting minors from social networks. The Council stated that the provision, which would have prohibited social media for those under 15, was "not adapted, necessary, and proportionate" to their freedom of expression and communication. While acknowledging the "constitutional requirement to protect the best interests of the child," the Council noted that this broad prohibition could apply to online communication services where risks to minors' health and safety are "not established." The law, intended to take effect on September 1, would have restricted access for younger users to platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Instagram, as well as social features on sites like YouTube, messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger, and certain online video games. Although the law included exceptions for online encyclopedias and educational or scientif