France's Constitutional Council Rejects Social Media Ban for Minors

In a significant ruling, France's Constitutional Council has struck down a proposed ban on social media use for individuals under 15, citing concerns over freedom of expression. The council deemed the blanket prohibition to be an excessive infringement on the rights of minors, stating that it was neither adequate nor necessary to protect young users.

The decision, announced on Friday, was prompted by inquiries from socialist and far-left lawmakers regarding the law aimed at shielding children from the potential dangers of social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The council expressed that such a wide-ranging ban could affect various online communication services without clearly established risks.

Originally set to go into effect on September 1, the law also sought to restrict minors' access to messaging services such as WhatsApp and Messenger, in addition to online gaming. Although the legislation included exceptions for educational resources, the council criticized these as overly limited.

In response to the ruling, President Emmanuel Macron tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with revising the law to ensure its legal robustness. The French presidency reaffirmed its commitment to advancing this legislation by spring 2027, as part of a broader global trend addressing youth access to social media.

Source: www.clarin.com