France’s top constitutional court has blocked a proposed social media ban for children under 15, dealing a setback to President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to tighten rules for young users. The Constitutional Council ruled on Friday that the legislation placed disproportionate limits on freedom of expression and communication. It also said the bill failed to provide enough legal safeguards for privacy. The decision came after French lawmakers approved the measure in July. Under the proposed law, children younger than 15 would have been prevented from opening new social media accounts from September 1. Existing accounts would have faced closure within four months.

The legislation also required platforms to introduce age verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator.

The Constitutional Council said the law required users to prove their age but did not clearly define the conditions and limits governing the process.

It concluded that the measure went too far in restricting freedom of expression while failing to adequately protect private life.

Macron orders new legislation

The ruling has forced the French government to rethink its approach.

Macron has instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to revise the legislation and address the concerns raised by the Constitutional Council.

The Élysée Palace said Macron remains determined to introduce stronger protections for children. The government wants the revised measures to take effect before spring 2027, when France is scheduled to hold its next presidential election.

Macron cannot seek a third consecutive presidential term under France’s constitutional limits.

The French president has previously called on teenagers to spend less time on electronic devices. In April, he urged young people to switch off their devices and read more to become better citizens.

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France follows global push to protect children

France’s proposed restrictions formed part of a wider international debate over children’s access to social media.

Australia introduced the world’s first nationwide social media age ban in December, preventing children under 16 from accessing major platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

Australian authorities are now considering tougher penalties after early data showed mixed results from the policy.

Several other countries have also introduced or proposed restrictions on young people’s access to social media. China, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye are among the countries that have taken steps to limit children’s access.

The European Union has also signalled plans to strengthen protections for children against potentially harmful social media features.

Social media companies oppose blanket bans

Major technology companies have generally opposed broad age-based bans. They argue that platforms already provide tools designed to protect younger users.

Companies including Google, Meta, Snap and TikTok have introduced age restrictions and other safety measures. However, the companies have also indicated that they would comply with laws adopted by governments.

The French ruling could therefore influence how other countries approach similar legislation, particularly where age verification raises concerns about privacy and freedom of expression.

For Macron’s government, the challenge now is to design a revised system that protects children while meeting constitutional requirements. The court’s decision means France must find a narrower legal route if it wants to impose strict limits on young people’s social media use.