France's Constitutional Council blocks social media ban for minors

France’s Constitutional Council has blocked a proposed law that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media. While the government aimed to protect minors from dangerous content and limit screen time, the Council ruled that the legislation was too broad and disproportionately interfered with the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and communication.

The ruling noted that the law failed to distinguish between different types of platforms, potentially affecting less risky services like messaging apps. Following the decision, President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government prepare a revised proposal that achieves child protection goals while remaining compliant with the French Constitution and European Union frameworks, such as the Digital Services Act.

Experts suggest that instead of blanket prohibitions, future regulations should focus on platform-specific protections, age-appropriate design, and stronger safety controls tailored to the specific risks associated with different ages and digital services.